Benue Killings: Catholics set for nationwide protest Tuesday

 

 

 

By Godwin Utuedoye,

 

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In solidarity with the Catholic community in Nigeria, the Catholic Diocese of Warri  have concluded plans to join in the nationwide protest tommorrow, May 22, 2018, following a directive by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

 

 

                                The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis

 

Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Reverend John Oke’Oghene Afareha, in a statement made available through the Director of Social Communications in the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Benedict Ukutegbe to Advocate Online, disclosed that the peaceful protest will begin with a Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri and to be quickly followed by a procession from the Cathedral Church through Okere Road down to Ajamimogha Street in Warri and straight to the Government House Annex, Ekpan.

 

The statement noted that the march was to protest the killing of priests and worshippers in Benue State, as well as the general insecurity in the country.

 

The statement further reveals that all the dioceses in Nigeria will hold a requiem Mass for the two slain priests to coincide with their interment in Makurdi, Benue State tomorrow being Tuesday, May 22.

 

“After the requiem Mass, each diocese will hold a solemn protest to demonstrate the church’s displeasure with the Federal Government over the killing of innocent Nigerians.

 

Meanwhile reports from other dioceses in Nigeria also reveals that there will be a protest in the different dioceses with the Bishop of each diocese leading the peaceful protest.

 

In his interaction with newsmen, Lagos Archbishop, Most Rev. Adewale Martins stated; “We cannot tell our members to carry arms to protect ourselves. We will only tell them the truth about the situation of things in Nigeria. It is left for them to decide who they want to vote for as their leaders come 2019.”

 

In a related development, according to messages made available to Advocate Online, the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Osogbo and the Archdiocese of Benin and Ibadan also stated that all was set for the protest.

 

The message from the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Osogbo on the protest tagged: March for Life, read: “This is being organised to protest the incessant killings taking place in all parts of our country. We are calling on government to provide adequate security for everyone and take decisive steps in ending the current culture of death through sincere respect for, protection and promotion of human life. The statement invites all Catholic faithful to come out in their numbers to speak in one voice.