Arrangements are completed for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) directed protests for Catholic faithful across the country.
The protests which have been fixed for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, will have about 23 million Catholics across the country in participation, and will be recorded as the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.
The CBCN said the protests would coincide with the burial of the two priests and 17 parishioners killed by herdsmen during a morning mass at Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
To ensure the full participation of all Catholics across the country, there has been nationwide sensitisation through constant and intensive announcements and mobilisations in parishes, deaneries and dioceses.
This is also as modalities for participation has been set by the various dioceses.
The CBCN announcement, entitled “Peaceful Demonstration,” read: “The CBCN has directed that every Diocese in Nigeria should organise a peaceful demonstration/ rally against the barbaric but intolerable killing of two priests and 17 others by herdsmen last month in Benue State, Date May 22, 2018. Time:10:00am, as the funeral of the innocent victims would be going on.
It will be recalled that suspected herdsmen in the early hours of April 24, 2018, stormed St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom parish, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue, killing two priests and 17 parishioners.
The attack came barely four days after the murder of 10 persons by herdsmen in neighbouring Guma Local Government Area and the destruction of 300 houses by military personnel in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
LAGOS
In the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, the Archbishop, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins will lead all priests, religious, and concerned lay faithful in the demonstration.
Photo: Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins
According to the programme of events released by the Archdiocese, the day’s activities will start with a requiem mass at St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja at 10:00 am.
This will be followed by a prayer procession from the Church to the Lagos State Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja and presentation of a letter to the Governor by the Archbishop for onwards transmission to the Presidency in Abuja.
Participants are to be dressed in white tops only and no unauthorised placards and banners will be allowed. Participants will also not be allowed to sing or shout political or sectarian slogans. While participants are in the procession, no one will be allowed to leave or buy food or water. Participants are therefore enjoined to bring their water before the commencement of the procession.
The Archdiocesan directive also encouraged participants to come on public transport as parking space may not be provided in the church premises.
ABUJA
Photo: His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan
In Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja is convening peaceful protests themed “PEACEFUL MARCH AND PRAYER FOR NIGERIA”.
His Eminence in a circular “LIFE IS SACRED STOP THE KILLINGS” stated, “Because of the Barbaric killing of human beings in Nigeria, and erosion of the perception of life as sacred and in union with the Diocese of Makurdi, we want to express our deepest displeasure over the ugly happenings in our country and pray for the nation”.
There will be Holy Mass, Rosary procession, address to local and international media and benediction, starting from National Christian Centre (Ecumenical Centre) at 10:00 am and terminating at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki.
Priests will all be in Cassock, others will come in their Parish or group uniforms or black attire.
“Please wear comfortable shoes or sandals. Priests should also take note that white is the colour of vestment for mass,” he went further to state.
“We invite others who are not of the Catholic Faith to also join us. Let us make it a joint project. We must all peacefully fight for a better Nigeria,” His Eminence also stated, while also warning that, “Trouble makers should please keep-off. I want this march and prayer to be peaceful from the beginning to the end and to send a powerful message to the Government of our country and the rest of the world for positive change”.
UMUAHIA
Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji
In the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, the Bishop, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, told Nigerian Catholic Reporter, over the weekend, the following programme of activity has been adopted for the day: Rosary at the Marian Shrine, Mater Die Cathedral at 9:00 am; the Bishop will lead a Rally/Procession from Mater Die Cathedral through Azikiwe Road by Aba Road. From there it gets to the Tower by Bende Road Junction, then to St Finbarrs Parish, Umuahia: Address by the Bishop and conclusion with Benediction.
A circular signed by the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Kalu, enjoined all participants to appear in black attire for the event; black Roman collar for priests.
AHIARA
Photo: Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral
The situation is the same in the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara Diocese where mobilisation for the protests is in top gear. Vicar General of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Ethelbert Uwadoka, in a telephone conversation with Nigerian Catholic Reporter, over the weekend, confirmed that circulars to that effect have been sent to parishes and that a mass turnout of parishioners is expected at the procession scheduled to take place at Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara.
AWGU
Our correspondent in the Catholic Diocese of Awgu in Enugu State confirmed that all arrangements have been concluded for the protests in the diocese. According to our reporter, a solemn procession to be led by Bishop John Okoye,will start from the Catholic secretariat to Awgu Local Government Head Quarters, where a speech will be presented by the bishop.
OWERRI
In the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, has invited all Catholic faithful , other Christians and people of goodwill in the state to the special day of prayer.
A circular issued by the Owerri Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Oha, said that a “Rosary procession begins at 8:00 am from the Villa Mariae along the Wetheral Road passing through the Government House roundabout and proceeding through the Assumpta Avenue”.
The procession concludes with Holy Mass at 12:00 noon at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
According to the circular, “Parishes and Chaplaincies in Owerri Urban and Semi-Urban Zones will send at least 60 representatives. Other parishes and Chaplaincies are to send at least 20 persons. Priests are required to be in their Surplice and purple stole at the procession and in purple chasuble for the Holy Mass. Other Christ’s faithful are to put on their group uniforms (CMO, CWO, Youth, Maryleague) and other sodality uniforms.”
Nigerian Catholic Reporter
