Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Catholic Diocese today in Owo, Ondo State said that Christians must defend themselves in the face of unprovoked aggression and imminent danger to life.
Preaching the Homily during the funeral Mass for the victims of the June 5 Massacre at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, the Bishop said while the Christian is called to love his neighbour as himself, surrendering to Jesus Christ is not to succumb to evil and they should therefore not be afraid to defend themselves.
He noted that in the Catholic Church, “there exists a moral principle of right to self defence which does not mean aggression. Life is God’s most precious gift and it must be defended in the face of unprovoked aggression and the right of self defence remains an important Christian value which in times like this cannot be jettisoned”.
The Federal and State Governments, he said, must wake up to secure the lives of Nigerians, listen to the cries of the people and shun discrimination and hypocrisy. He stated that leaders must continue to be leaders and not dealers, regretting that very few people were willing to raise their voices against the killings in Nigeria.
Bishop Badejo was one of the several Archbishops, Bishops and Priests, including the Catholic Bishop of the Ondo Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto who led thousands of mourners and political leaders the funeral Mass celebrated at the Mydas Event Centre in the town, because St. Francis was yet to be opened.
Present at the funeral mass were Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife Betty as well as former Governor Olusegun Mimikoovernor Rotimi shed tears while making his remarks during the Mass, as he said he had failed to protect the victims of the attack. “We have failed to defend these people”, he said, “Not because we have not tried, but because these forces on the other side are evil and they have support”.
40 worshippers, including 4 children, were killed on Pentecost Sunday, June 5 by gunmen identified by the Federal Government as ISWAP terrorists, during Mass St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo. About 60 people are still receiving treatment in hospitals for injuries sustained during the attack.
The names and photographs of the dead we published in the funeral brochure today, with several of them parents and children or husbands and wives.
These are the dead:
- Virginus Nwani
- Miss Nwani Chidiogo
- Justinah Ugwumadu
- Umunna Okafor
- Umunna Chisom
- Fabian Emeka Nweke
- Njoku Emmanuel Chukwuemeka
- Oluwatoyin Akinyemi
- Deborah Onuoha
- Chukwudi Onuoha
- Mrs Christiana Oladepe Olajide
- Caroline Aina Agboola
- Bridget Ozulumba
- Regina Nnabife
- Obuche
- Sir Adesina Ajanaku
- Lady Ajanaku
- Ndegbe Gift
- Ekun Roseline Funmilayo
- John Bosede Testimony
- Edwin Loveth
- Okefi Cordelia
- Omolola Monogbe
- Monogbe Omolayo John
- Onileke Esther Ilerioluwa
- Onah Chijioke
- Sunday Mary
- Eze Chikamso
- Anthony Onuyi Ojapah
- Mathilda Ogungbade
- Justinah Ugwumadu
- Funmilola Madinat
- Ugwummadu Ekene
- Onyebuchi Onyeka
- Oluchukwu Evaristus
- Theresa Ogbu
- Timothy Ugwu
- Hen Olowa
- Asebioyo Esther
The caskets were lined up in front of the altar during Mass and many of them were taken for interment immediately in Owo after while some were taken to their States of origin, following requests from their families.
MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE. AMEN!
May the Lord forgive their sins and admit them into his eternal presence.