Catholic Diocese of Ondo through the Director, Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Augustine IKWU, has released an official statement over the heinous attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, area of the State.
In the statement released on Sunday, Ondo Catholic Diocese debunk the social media reports that the Parish priest and Bishop were kidnapped during the attack.
It decried how the gunmen invaded the Church while Holy Mass was going on, kill several worshippers and left many injured. The release also said the gunmen has violated the Church and called for God’s ultimate intervention.
The statement reads: “It is Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic is expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity. It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, unknown Gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. Leaving many feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated.
“The identity of the perpetrators remains unknow while the situation has left the community devastated.
“However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation. At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity.
“Meanwhile, all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it. Nonetheless, let us continue to pray for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.
“We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this
distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Amen.
“The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace and normalcy to return to our community, state and country.
