Catholic Bishops in Anambra State, under the Archdiocese of Onitsha have declared 40 days prayers and fasting over the alarming spate of insecurity in the state.
The stated in statement signed by Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Province, for and on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Onitsha Province, that there was need for intervention, over what was happening in the state.
Part of the release read: “For quite sometime now, the South-eastern jurisdiction which God entrusted to our
pastoral care has become a theatre of ungodly and wanton destruction of life and properties.
“The forces of darkness and death seem to have cast its shadows over the
south-eastern part of our Country. This has not been part of our history or who we are as a people. In the midst of these tragedies, many people are tempted to lose faith in God and hope in man.
“It is against this prevalent despondency, that we, the Archbishop and Bishops of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province send you this message of hope and call for prayers especially this holy season of lent. We are indeed convinced that those who put their trust in the Lord can never be disappointed.”
The release stated that the prayers will start on Wednesday, being the commencement of the Lent period, and will last through out the 40 days period that ushers in the Easter celebration.
The Bishops explained that the prayers would be made for security and peace in the South-East of Nigeria, for God to cause a change of heart in the murderers and make them once again realize the sanctity of human life.
They would also pray for the enthronement of justice and equity in the country.
“We ask God to give the Federal Government of Nigeria and some of our own political leaders the courage
and the honesty to discuss the challenges facing the South-eastern region which are part of the causes of youth restiveness and violence in our zone.
“We appeal to all as individuals, Families, Associations, Parishes to say their Rosaries daily and faithfully within this period of lent in order that this cloud of blood-letting hanging over our region will collapse like the walls of Jericho.”
