Catholic Diocese in Nigeria Pays Tribute to Priest Murdered on Ash Wednesday, a Day after Kidnapping

“His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him,” Fr. Shanet says.

According to the information provided by the Diocese of Kafanchan, Fr. Sylvester was kidnapped from his residence at around 9:15 pm on Tuesday, March 4.

After being taken by his abductors, the 45-year-old Priest was killed in the early hours of Ash Wednesday.

“It is yet to be determined why he was killed,” Fr. Shanet says.

In his appeal for prayer following the incident, the Chancellor of Kafanchan says, “Let us come together as one family in prayer for the repose of his soul. We invite all priests, religious and the faithful, to offer Holy Masses, Rosaries and Prayers for the eternal repose of Fr Sylvester, who gave his life in service to God and humanity.”

The Priest has also appealed on the youth and community members to remain calm and steadfast in prayer. “No one should take the law into their hands,” he says.

Fr. Shanet says that the details of Fr. Sylveter’s funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course. “May we continue to hold one another in prayer and unity during this dark moment,” he says.

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

On the day that Fr. Sylvester was kidnapped, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria also sent out a prayer appeal for the release of a Priest and a major Seminarian who had been abducted from a Parish Rectory the previous day. The two are still missing.

Fr. Sylvester’s murder follows a series of other incidents that have targeted Catholic Priests in the country6, which is the most populous on the continent.

On February 6, Fr. Cornelius Manzak Damulak, a member of the Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Shendam and student at Veritas University Abuja in Nigeria was abducted and later escaped from captivity. 

Later, on February 19, Fr. Moses Gyang Jah of St. Mary Maijuju Parish of Shendam Diocese was abducted alongside his niece and the Parish Council Chairman, Mr. Nyam Ajiji. The Parish Council Chairman was reportedly killed. Fr. Jah and his niece are yet to be freed.

Most recently, on February 22, Fr. Matthew David Dutsemi and Fr. Abraham Saummam were abducted from the Catholic Diocese of Yola. They are yet to be released.

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

According to Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, a total of 13 priests were kidnapped in Nigeria in 24 alone, all of whom were eventually released, and one was murdered, for a total of 14 incidents.

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In a note shared with ACI Africa, ACN has joined the Catholic authorities of Nigeria in their call for prayers for the repose of Fr. Sylvester, and also in their appeal to the government to increase security and put an end to the climate of fear that reigns in many parts of the country.