Catholic Church in South Africa mourns the death of South Africans in Nigeria

Vatican Radio) The Catholic Church in South Africa has expressed shock and sadness over the death of 67 South Africans who lost their lives when a Church hostel collapsed at Nigeria’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos. The hostel belongs to Popular Tele-evangelist, TB Joshua’s  church.

South African’s President is quoted by the BBC as saying the tragedy was the “the deadliest incident involving South Africans abroad."

In a message of condolence released by Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s communications Director, Fr. S’milo Mngadi, the Bishops’ conference says that “It is quite sad when people die in such a tragedy while they are on a quest to find God.”  The statement continues to say, “May the souls of the deceased find peace in God, may their families be consoled and may those who sustained injuries be restored to good health”.

It is feared that the death toll may still rise. More than 130 other people are said to be injured. The hostel was hosting South Africans. TB Joshua is an enormously popular tele-evangelist in Africa. 

e-mail: [e-mail]