Remains of Catholic Priest Burnt By Bandits Buried
Category: Nigeria News
The remains of Reverend Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul
Catholic Church in Kafin-Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State,
who was burnt to death by gunmen, have been buried at the St Michael Catholic
Cemetery in Bosso, Local Government Areas of the state.
Over 500
Catholic priests from within and outside Nigeria thronged the St Michael’s
Catholic Cathedral Church Minna to bid farewell to the late cleric in
overcrowded final funeral rites.
The priest was set ablaze in his
residence when the bandits could not gain access to the parish house last
Sunday, while his assistant, Fr. Collins was shot while trying to escape.
Reverend Father Achi was the CAN coordinator of Paikoro Local
Government Area, and the Dean and Parish Priest of St. Peter and Paul Catholic
Church Kaffin-Koro in Minna Diocese.
Speaking during the funeral
service, the Dean of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Catholic
University, Port Harcourt, Very Reverend Father Samuel Gwimi described the
gruesome murder of Fr. Achi as shocking to him and other priests.
According
to him: “We are still looking for answers and explanations as to why he was
killed, but we have also consoled ourselves in the Lord knowing the slain
priest is resting in the bosom of God.”
Gwimi called on other
priests and Christians to immortalize Rev. Achi by exhibiting his character of
generosity and seeker of truth and peace.
“Father Achi has touched every one of us in one way or the other. His
generosity to individuals and groups cannot be quantified, and that is why his
death is painful to us all. The separation from him is painful because of the
touch and impact he has had in our lives.”
He also appealed to
political leaders and security agents in the nation to be more proactive about
the issues of security to stop future occurrences from happening.
“Father
Achi fought a good fight of faith and finished the race and is already sitting
peacefully with God,” the cleric added.
Also, the Bishop of Minna,
Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu described Father Achi as a courageous and
peace-loving man who stood for peace and justice saying that he will be
greatly missed by all.
Uzoukwu then called on the government to
ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Similarly, the
Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Most
Reverend Bulus Dauda Yohanna disclosed that Fr. Achi was a person who was
prepared to proffer solutions to problems and was very generous to everyone.
How long do we continue loosing life like animals in this country, we don't value life anymore in this expired country
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