Nigeria: The church where the Pentecost Massacre occurred is always full

Two years after the massacre at the Nigerian Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier in Owo, which occurred on Pentecost 2022, the church is now “always full on Sundays,” as reported by nurse Margaret Attaha survivor of the massacre, to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Attah’s story is truly surprising: in the attack she lost both legs and one eye, leaving her confined to a wheelchair. Despite everything, she does not lose faith and thanks God for the strength of the community, despite her fear and suffering.

He June 5, 2022, a group of terrorists entered the parish during Mass, opening fire and detonating explosives. The massacre resulted in 41 people killed and more than 70 injured. Those responsible are in police custody, said Father Michael Abugan, parish priest of San Francisco Javier, although they have not yet appeared in court.

Despite the tragedy, the community of faithful does not let itself be discouraged. According to their parish priest, the survivors are “very firm, committed and resilient in their practice of faith.”

Attah highlights that “tension reigns throughout Nigeria” and that many people are afraid to even leave their homes because kidnappings are common. “There is no peace. We can’t sleep with both eyes closed. We cannot even travel short distances without fear. However, we continue to thank God,” he said.

Furthermore, he stressed that prayer is the only hope of the people and that “the future of the country is only God. We must continue praying to God for His Kingdom to come. Only God must reign in Nigeria, because only then will we have peace.”

For the nurse it was “very easy” to forgive the aggressors, and she points to the foundation that prays every day for God to forgive her own sins. “Likewise, I have to forgive others,” she added. Attah received the award from ACN United Kingdom Courage to be a Christian.

Mons. Jude Arogundadem, Bishop of Ondo, reflected during an ACN virtual event, on June 5, on the situation of some of the victims. Despite the terrible experience, he indicated that “hope is strong among the population,” as demonstrated by the expansion of the parish and the opening of 10 new evangelization missions, according to the foundation.

A memorial for the victims

ACN stated that, immediately after the massacre, it contacted the community of San Francisco Javier to make its full support available. Thanks to this approach, the Diocese of Ondo presented to the foundation the project of a monument in memory of the victims, “so that this atrocity never falls into oblivion.”

ACN is contributing to the construction of the memorial, which provides for a memorial garden, “where people can gather to remember the victims and pray for them and for peace,” as well as an altar for the celebration of Masses.

Father Damian Ezeokafor, spokesperson for the Diocese of Ondo, explained that “the memorial park will become part of the Church history of this community, a history that will be passed down from generation to generation.”

“Without this place, this dismal part of its history will most likely be forgotten or erased with each successive generation. This memory is important for two reasons: firstly, to pray for the deceased and, secondly, to show how those faithful bore witness to the Christian faith with their blood,” the priest concluded.