Maiduguri: Ibadan Bishops visit Nigeria’s persecuted Christians

The Archbishop of Ibadan, Gabriel ’Leke Abegunrin together with the Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Osogbo, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Okodua and Fr. Martin De Cross have a led a delegation from Ibadan ecclesiastical province on a solidarity visit to the Diocese of Maiduguri. This is according to information given to Vatican Radio’s Africa Service by Maiduguri Diocese’ Social Communications Director, Fr. Gideon Obasogie.

Speaking at the start of a Eucharistic celebration in Maiduguri, Archbishop Abegunrin told the people of Maiduguri not relent because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“The aggression, bloodshed, violence, selfishness and all sorts of greed and disrespect for human life that you have suffered, we say to you: ‘In the world, you will have trouble but be courageous for I have conquered the world’ (John 16:33). In spite of the challenges you have suffered and continue to suffer due to activities of Boko Haram, I say to you never relent for there is always light at the end of the tunnel,” Archbishop Abegunrin said.

In his homily at the same Mass, Bishop Badejo began by praising Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, head of the Diocese of Maiduguri. He described him as a faithful and courageous Shepherd, who had weathered the many challenges thrown at him and at his people calmly and with a spirit of great patience.

“When faced with evil, we have two choices to make: Either to run away and to give into despair and die or to continue to believe in the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ who saw suffering, marginalisation, deprivation and death and still emerged victorious,” Bishop Badejo said.

The grace of God has no boundary and can rein-in every quarter, whether, amongst Christians or Muslims, Bishop Badejo assured.

“It is our duty as Christians to be the evidence and witness of Jesus’ cross,” Bishop Badejo said.  He concluded by saying that whatever hardship the people of Maiduguri were facing, they should always remember that they do not stand alone.

The Local Ordinary of Maiduguri, Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, expressed his joy over the extraordinary show of love and concern demonstrated by the Bishops and their delegation in visiting.

“It is not far from the truth that today Maiduguri is reckoned as the deadliest place to be in Nigeria and despite this, the Bishops, priests and sisters have spared time to come and feel what we are feeling and to encourage us on our Christian journey,” said Bishop Doeme.

Later the Ibadan Bishops and their delegation visited the internally displaced persons’ camps (IDPs) in Wulari and the Catholic camp in Polo within Maiduguri metropolis.  During the visit, the Bishops donated bags of Rice, Beans,  Maize and some cash.

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