Bishop in Nigeria Declares Six-week Holy Mass in Honor of Ondo Church Massacre Victims

“As neither the Priests nor any of the parishioners were kidnapped during the attack, it could be safely concluded that the primary aim was to terrorize Christians, maim and kill as many as possible,” he says about the June 5 attack that involved gunmen who fired at the Catholic worshippers and detonated explosives resulting in the death of dozens.

The Local Ordinary of Ondo Diocese adds, “Remote and unsubstantiated motive could also be to pass a political message to the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Rotimi Akcredolu whose remarkable efforts to expel bandits from Ondo State forests, and his strong stance on handling the issue of insurgency decisively in the country has attracted national attentional.”

The 61-year-old Nigerian Bishop says that whatever the motivations of the attack might be, the “idea to plan to kill innocent and peace-loving people” is satanic and renders perpetrators of the June 5 attack “mindless killers.”

Bishop Arogundade likens the blood of the victims of the Pentecost Sunday massacre to that of Abel in the Bible, saying that their blood on the floor of the church is crying for justice.

“Just as the blood of Abel cried to God after his brother Cain murdered him, we ask that the blood which was shed and which now littered the floors of the Church of St. Francis Owo, seek justice for all the victims of this horror,” he says.

The Catholic Bishop further says in reference to the Pentecost Sunday massacre, “This despicable act of terror and the pointblank execution of babies, children, women and men in the very House of God has made this monstrous act one beyond conception.”

Taking the life of any human being is against God’s will but killing in the church, which is in the presence of God is an act of arrogance that offends God, he says in his June 7 statement.

He continues, “Those responsible for this act have brought their war to the doorsteps of God and thereby invited the wrath of God upon themselves – they have gone too far and the days of reckoning in Nigeria are here!”

“We remain undeterred, uncowed and undaunted in our resolved to practice our faith in the face of terror and the persecution of the Christian faith in Nigeria. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church as by a Father of the Church,” the Bishop who has been at the helm of Ondo Diocese since November 2010 says.

He goes on to express his agreement with Pope Francis’ tweet about praying for conversion of hearts of those who promote violence and hatred.

The Catholic Church leader appeals for solidarity with the victims of the massacre, especially those who are undergoing treatment. He recognizes the fact that family members of those killed in the attack are traumatized and therefore in need of psychological support.

“Among the victims of the cruelty are many injured children, men and women who are in critical conditions and are undergoing various forms of treatment at the St Louis Hospital and at the Federal Medical Center Owo,” Bishop Arogundade says.

He adds in reference to the victims, “Many of them require intensive medical care, which require enormous financial costs.”

“I hereby appeal to all good people of the world to offer their assistance – financial and otherwise towards the medical costs and or therapy cost required. Most especially too I ask that we all remember them in our daily prayers,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop says in his June 7 statement.

He acknowledges with appreciation the condolences, comfort and words of solidarity from all parts of the world, saying that the messages have served to amplify his belief once more in the goodness and beauty of human creation.

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“I hereby thank everyone who has reached out to the families of the victims and to us as a Diocese. I acknowledge everyone,” Bishop Arogundade says, and adds, “Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others.”

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, the Health Coordinator in Ondo Diocese reached out to well-wishers with bank account details where funds can be remitted to help the Diocese address the needs of the people affected by the Pentecost Sunday attack. 

“We write to call your attention to new account details, where financial donations can be made as relief for the victims and the Catholic Church,” Fr. Matthew Ologun said in his June 7 statement.

Fr. Ologun provided Zenith Bank PLC for financial remittance, with 1223923743 as the Naira account, and 5072601447 as the Dollar account.