Recently, around 700 Catholic Priests Protested Calling for Religious Security in their Country.
Newsroom (06/07/2022 8:59 PM, Gaudium Press) Three Catholic priests have been kidnapped this week in Nigeria. The most recent case is that of Father Emmanuel Silas of St. Charles Parish in Zambina, kidnapped in the early hours of this Monday, July 4.
Priests kidnapped
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Father Okolo, confirmed this kidnapping and urged Catholics to pray for the immediate release of the kidnapped priest and assured that the Catholic community will use all legal means available to secure his release.
The other two kidnapped Catholic priests are Fathers: Peter Udo of St. Patrick’s Parish, Uromi, and Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha, in Esan Local Government Area of Edo State, Southern Nigeria. These two were taken together by heavily armed terrorists.
Kidnappings and killings in Nigeria
Recently several Catholic priests have been murdered in Nigeria by criminal gangs. The latest priests who lost their lives in Nigeria were Father Christopher Odia Ogedegbe and Father Vitus Borogo. At the latter’s funeral, about 700 priests protested for more security in the country.
Currently, numerous criminal gangs are committing kidnappings in several cities in Nigeria for ransom. Among the targets of these bandits are priests, religious people, politicians, businessmen, and even children from wealthy families. The intent in most of these crimes is to obtain large sums of money. (EPC)
Compiled by Florence MacDonald
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