Nigeria: Renewed appeals for abducted priest and seminarian.
Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr. - Vatican City.
During the night of 2 to 3 August 2023, some unidentified armed gunmen attacked priests’ residence at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church Gyedna of the Minna Diocese, Niger State, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The bandits took away Fr Paul Sanogo, a citizen of Mali and a Seminarian, Dominic Merikiory Mahinini, a Tanzanian national. Both belong to the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.), also known as White Fathers.
The bandits severely beat up a visitor in the parish house who had to be hospitalised but was not taken away. Two other Missionaries of Africa managed to hide from the bandits.
We pray the Lord hears our prayers
The Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martin Igwe Uzoukwu, has since requested prayers be said for the two abducted pastoral workers of his Diocese.
“We pray the Lord hears our prayers and bring them back in peace,” he implored.
The Provincial Superior of the Ghana-Nigeria Province of the Missionaries of Africa, Fr Dennis Dashong Pam, called upon his confreres to unite their voices with the laity in praying for their two brothers’ safety and immediate release.
In a short video seen by Vatican News, the Provincial, Fr Pam, said they were in touch with the abductors who had made several demands. He described the negotiations as complicated. Speaking to Vatican News, Fr Pam kept asking for prayers for the safe release of Fr Sanogo and Seminarian Mahinini.
Appeal from Tanzania
Another appeal for prayer was made by Bishop Joseph Roman Mlola of the Catholic Diocese of Kigoma in Tanzania.
“In collaboration with the priests of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), I invite all priests, Religious, Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Kigoma and all people of goodwill to pray with a special intention for the seminarian Dominic Melikiori Mahinini .. born in the parish of Kabanga in the Diocese of Kigoma together with Fr Paul Sanogo …”
Bishop Mlola continued, “Let us ask God to listen to our prayers and save them from any danger and bring them back in peace, light and complete freedom.” The Bishop concluded by quoting Exodus 3:7: Then the Lord said, “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings.”
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