NIGERIA: Memorial Mass for massacred Christians
Just over a year after extremists murdered more than 300 people in coordinated attacks targeting Christian villages in Plateau State, Nigeria, the faithful gathered for a special Mass to remember the victims last Sunday (5th January).
Bishop Michael Gobal Gokum of Pankshin celebrated the Epiphany Mass at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bokkos for all those killed in their homes and on their farms on Christmas Eve 2023.
Father Andrew Dewan, director of communications in Pankshin Diocese, told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN): “It’s one year already since the mindless killings that took place in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State.”
He added that “people in their hundreds lost their lives and hundreds more were hospitalised, while thousands are still in IDP (internally displaced person) camps” in the area.
Hundreds of militants stormed more than 30 villages – at least 20 of those simultaneously – on 24th December 2023, shooting at people with machine guns and setting houses on fire.
Father Dewan told ACN: “The bishop expressed sadness and sorrow over the unfortunate incident.
“He commended the faithful for their faith, determination and resilience in the face of unprovoked violent attacks.”
Father Dewan added that Bishop Gokum praised the “efforts of the Plateau State Government for the deployment of security forces to communities in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs in the weeks leading to Christmas to prevent a repeat of those attacks”.
He said the bishop also expressed his gratitude to international organisations, including ACN, for providing “support to the affected communities”.
He added that Bishop Gokum “challenged governments at all levels in Nigeria to expedite actions towards securing communities to enable people who have lived in various IDP camps to come back to their ancestral lands.
“Bishop Gokum acknowledged the hunger being experienced in the land.
“The widespread insecurity in the diocese has led to food shortages.”
Father Dewan told ACN: “Ordinary people are scavenging for what to eat.
“Despite the efforts being made by the diocese to address the plights of victims, it is unable to meet their needs.
“Hence, [Bishop Gokum] implored the faithful who are better off to also support those that are less [well-off].”
He added that the bishop concluded the Mass by praying for God’s help for the families of the deceased and asking “the people to forgive their aggressors for God to heal their wounds and their lands”.