Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

‘Endangered Species’: Why are Catholic priests abducted in Nigeria?

by Hannah Kennelly
15 July 2022
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Photo by Aid to the Church in Need

Endangered species: Fr Bako Francis Aweah is one of the many priests who were kidnapped in Nigeria. Photo by Aid to the Church in Need

FATHER Peter Amodu was walking to the Holy Ghost Parish in Southern Nigeria on July 6. 

He never arrived for the 5pm Mass. 

Gunmen kidnapped the priest along the Otukpo highway in Benue State.

The chancellor of the Oktupo Diocese confirmed Fr Amodu was released unharmed four days later. 

Aid to the Church reported Fr Amodu was one of 18 Nigerian Catholic priests kidnapped this year.

Ondo Bishop Jude Arogundade said the Catholic Church in Nigeria is a threat and a strategic target for radicalised Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Islamic terror groups. 

“The Catholic priests represent an international institution with a prominent message that challenges the message of terrorists,” he said. 

“Because of the Church’s worldwide prominence and structure, an attack in even the most obscure locations guarantees the international media attention that terrorists want.”

Africa Security and Strategic Studies Geneva director David Otto said the Catholic Church was targeted because of monetary reasons, with ransoms as high as $200,000.  

“It’s the simple reason, because the bandits are all about money,” he said. 

Related Stories

Young Catholics prepare for World Youth Day pilgrimage to Portugal

Giant Puppet Little Amal visits New York cathedral to spread refugee awareness

‘A hard act to follow’- How Queen Elizabeth’s Christian life shaped her reign

The Nigerian Diocesan Catholic Priests Association criticised the ongoing attacks and the Nigerian government’s lack of response in a statement this week. 

“It is really sad that in the course of their normal pastoral activities, priests have become an endangered species,” the statement said. 

“As already observed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, it is clear to the nation that (the Government) has failed in (its) primary duty of protecting the lives of the Nigerian citizens.”

Kaduna Bishop Matthew Ndagoso blamed “inept law enforcement” for the escalating attacks on priests and parishes. 

“Those assigned with the responsibility of securing our country must tell us why they have failed,” he said. 

“So many of my parishioners have been kidnapped that I can longer count. 

“So many and every day.”

Previous Post

Michele celebrates return to volunteering overseas and chance to share God’s love

Next Post

Cath Bartolo says little things can make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable people

Hannah Kennelly

Related Posts

Young Catholics prepare for World Youth Day pilgrimage to Portugal

Young Catholics prepare for World Youth Day pilgrimage to Portugal

18 February 2023
Giant Puppet Little Amal visits New York cathedral to spread refugee awareness

Giant Puppet Little Amal visits New York cathedral to spread refugee awareness

21 September 2022
‘A hard act to follow’- How Queen Elizabeth’s Christian life shaped her reign
Uncategorised

‘A hard act to follow’- How Queen Elizabeth’s Christian life shaped her reign

9 September 2022 - Updated on 12 September 2022
Next Post
Strength in community: YFS chief executive officer Cath Bartolo (centre) with Aboriginal elders in Logan.

Cath Bartolo says little things can make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable people

Trish McCarthy is inspiring pre-service and early career teachers to encounter Jesus

Trish McCarthy is inspiring pre-service and early career teachers to encounter Jesus

James Webb telescope images are ‘food for the human spirit’, Vatican Observatory director says

James Webb telescope images are ‘food for the human spirit’, Vatican Observatory director says

Popular News

  • Nominations open for Youth Leader Awards for Brisbane archdiocese

    Nominations open for Youth Leader Awards for Brisbane archdiocese

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Angela Moore reflects on her first year as a principal

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two men ordained permanent deacons for Brisbane

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • NSW euthanasia laws come into effect as bishops release guide for those accompanying Catholics considering euthanasia

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Pope Francis’ trip to climate conference in Dubai cancelled due to ongoing illness

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping