Those Implicated in 2022 Pentecost Massacre “must” Answer: Bishop at Church Dedication

“President Buhari promised he will get to the bottom but failed in his promise,” Bishop Ayodeji said in his homily during the June 10 celebration in reference to the immediate former President of Africa’s most populous nation.

He emphasized, “Government must find the courage to hold those behind this attack and those who aided them accountable including those who once occupied high offices of government.”

“We must, as a matter of principle and civility, find the root cause of the attack on Saint Francis Church Owo and the causes of other attacks going on in Nigeria that is the minimum the government can do to prove its worth,” the Local Ordinary of Ondo Diocese said.

He urged the government to “come to terms with its primary responsibility to protect and defend the lives and properties of citizens and to administer justice without fear or favor.”

“As long as the perpetrators of the attack of 5 June 2022 and many similar attacks of innocent Nigerians still walk our streets, our government has a lot of explaining to do, that is, if they feel responsible to their citizens,” Bishop Ayodeji said.

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The Nigerian Catholic Church leader who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 2010 as Coadjutor Bishop of Ondo Diocese continued, “We want to live in a free country where the rights and dignity of citizens are assured and protected. The freedom that takes its force from an abiding faith in God and commitment to country.”

The June 10 dedication of the church and consecration of its altar was the culmination of the weeklong program that the Nigerian Diocese unveiled to honor the victims of the 2022 Pentecost Sunday attack, which involved gunmen who fired at the worshippers and detonated explosives.

Other activities of the June 5-10 program included an interdenominational service, the opening of two memorial parks that were built by the Ondo State Government and Ondo Diocese in honor of the deceased, candlelight procession, and a Memorial Mass.

In his June 10 homily, Bishop Ayodeji highlighted the importance of the dedication of the church and memorial of victims of the attack.

He said, “This gathering is an opportunity for us to show the world how far we have healed, the power of our faith, and the resilience of our people.” he said.

“Indeed, the evil one has failed and his devilish intent has come to nothing. Our spiritual resolve and strength of will to continue to show the goodness that is inseparable from our faith has just begun, and there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he further said.

Bishop Ayodeji called upon the people of God in Ondo Diocese to “look inwardly and muster new strength and energy to move forward with integrity, work for the emancipation of our country, and show the world how beautiful our lives have become.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.