A requiem mass was celebrated Friday for the 10 Catholic faithful killed in cold blood last week by suspected members of Boko Haram sect at St. Stephen’s chaplaincy, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), with Bishop of Kano/Jigawa Diocese, Bishop John Namaza Niyiring, declaring them martyrs.
?Bishop Niyiring, who made this declaration during the requiem mass organised by Our Lady of Fatima cathedral in Kano, described their death as a very sad and painful event, said that was why the Catholic Church decided to honour those who died during the attack.
Said he, “These beloved Catholics who we mourn today were killed inside the church while worshiping God, even though their death is painful, we must rejoice with them because they have died as martyrs who will receive merciful judgement from God.”
Bishop Niyiring then admonished Catholics and all Christians not to be weakened by the activities of those persecuting the church of God, stressing that as Christians they should remain faithful and strong in spite of the present challenges.
“Do not allow persecution to rob you of your faith as Christians in these times of trouble. You must be more prayerful and seek the protection of God, instead of living in fear,” he said,? just as he admonished the faithful in Kano not to relent in their prayers,? adding that through prayers the present situation will be brought under control.??????????????????????????
LEADERSHP recalls that gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram planted bombs in Theatre 2 at BUK while some Christian faithful were holding Sunday Mass, laying ambush outside and killing those that attempted to escape from the hall.????????