Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo: «We hope that all people of good will will join us and support us in prayer».
ACN – On the first anniversary of the 2022 Pentecost Sunday bombing of a Nigerian church, the bishop of the diocese where the massacre took place has said that the evils of terrorism can scar people for life.
Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo told the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the extremists who killed 41 people and wounded more than 80 others at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, southwestern Nigeria, on June 5 last year are still at large. In the attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, several explosions took place as several gunmen disguised as worshippers opened fire inside the church, which was packed during mass on the feast of Pentecost.
Bishop Arogundade called for «sober reflection on how far we are willing to go to protect human life and its dignity and sanctity as a nation». The bishop stressed that people often say that «time heals and that we must move on by making the memory of the victims history,» but it is important to commemorate the anniversary of the massacre by «reminding the world of the evil of terrorism and the long-term effects it has on people.»
Despite the fact that, one year later, no one has been brought to justice, the bishop remains committed to urging those in positions of power to take the necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies.
According to Father Michael Abugan, pastor of St. Francis Xavier, the community will not be at peace until the culprits are brought to justice. Father Michael told ACN: «We don’t want to believe that justice will be denied. We hope and know that one day the government will do what is necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice.»
Bishop Arogundade fears that all the families directly affected by the tragedy «will carry the scars for a long time to come». And he stresses, «This anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we have done so far and what more we can do to bring relief to those who continue to suffer and help them live with their pain and trauma.»
The prelate concludes in his statements to ACN: «We hope that all people of good will will join us and support us in prayers to console a Church in mourning. We still have a lot to do to comfort the victims. Any support we receive will help us meet many of our needs.»