Nigeria – Mass of Solidarity for Attack Victims

The Archbishop of Jos, his Grace Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, is organizing a Mass of solidarity in order to pray with and for the victims of massacres in which hundreds of people lost their lives.

In his letter to ACN, he writes about the attack on January 17th, 2010, “in which over one hundred persons have been reportedly killed followed by an early morning raid which occurred on March 7th in the villages of Dogon Nahawa, Ratsat and Zot Foron, some 15 kilometers south of the city of Jos.”

“The villagers of the Berom ethnic group (mainly Christians) alleged that their attackers were Fulani Muslim herdsmen who swooped on them while they slept. The attack which lasted more than two hours began at about 2:30 am and the victims were completely unprepared for the fury of the marauders.”

The Holy Mass will be said tomorrow, on the 19th of March 2010, at St. Jarlath’s Parish Church Bukuru, where clashes resulted in the physical destruction of lives and properties.

To show the importance of this common prayer for peace in the region of Jos, his Eminence Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson who has officially taken over from Cardinal Renato Martino as the President of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, will preside at the Mass.

The Archbishop of Jos hopes that this common prayer by so many will also bring comfort to those who were affected by this tragedy. He appreciates the support, which the Archdiocese of Jos is receiving from other dioceses of Nigeria and international church agencies.

He wrote: “Our Justice, Peace and Caritas Department has already attempted to attend to some food, medical and clothing needs of the many thousands who were displaced (Muslims, Christians and others).”

In the chapel of Aid to the Church in Need’s International headquarters in Königstein, Germany, Mass will be said at 8.00 a.m., in a gesture of solidarity and compassion with these suffering in Jos. All are invited to join in pray for the victims and their families.

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