Fear no more the darkness
Fear no more the darkness
"I am afraid but I stand on my feet because of my faith..."
In northern Nigeria, Tobias Yahaya—a catechist and Christian teacher—was home with his wife and young child one evening, lying in bed when extremists broke into his home and stabbed him in the chest. The attackers lunged again, however Tobias managed to fight back protecting his family and raising the alarm.
Miraculously, the blade missed his vital organs by just a few inches. Within three months, Tobias was back serving as a catechist at Holy Family Catholic Cathedral in Sokoto, determined to continue his mission despite the trauma which still affects him to this day.
“Every time I hear a loud sound, it shakes me. Sometimes, when I put on my cassock, I am afraid but I stand on my feet because of my faith...
“We have read how Jesus suffered for us. We will do whatever it takes to share our faith.”
His courage is a living witness to Christ’s words: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
For his courage, faith, and continued work with the Catholics and Christians in northern Nigeria, ACN will be awarding Tobias with the "Courage to be Christian award" this #RedWednesday at our Holy Mass event at St George’s Cathedral in London as we stand in solidarity for Christians that face suffering round the world.
All are welcome to attend Holy Mass and watch Tobias receive his award and even get a chance to meet him and speak to him in-person afterwards at our #RedWednesday reception.
