Another Huge Tragedy as Prominent Catholic Priest Is Murdered
- The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jema’a local government, Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum, has been killed
- The cleric had been abducted and whisked away from the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in the Lere local government area of Kaduna state
- The decomposing body of Reverend Chietnum who was also the coordinating CAN chairman, Southern Kaduna, was, however, found on Tuesday, July 16
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Lere LGA, Kaduna state - Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum, one of the two Catholic priests abducted in Kaduna state on Friday, July 15, has been found dead.
Chietnum and Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleopas were abducted and whisked away from the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in the Lere local government area of Kaduna where they were on an assignment.
Source: Facebook
In a statement by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, said while Chietnum was killed, Cleopas escaped from the kidnappers’ den, Daily Trust reported.
He said the decomposing body of the priest was discovered on Tuesday, July 16. The victim was said to have been murdered on the same day he was abducted.
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Until his death, Rev Chietnum was the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jema’a local government area and also the coordinating CAN chairman, Southern Kaduna.
“As we solicit for prayer for the repose of our dear brother and Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to call on all an sundry to refrain from taking the law into their hands. The Diocese declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul,” the church said in a statement.
The statement said his burial is scheduled for 10am on Thursday, July 21, at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan.
Former Kaduna lawmaker Shehu Sani reacts
Meanwhile, a former senator from Kaduna state, Shehu Sani, has reacted to the murder of Reverend Chietnum.
In a tweet on his verified Twitter page, Sani condemned the killing and sent condolences to the deceased's family and the Catholic community.
"The cold blooded murder of Rev fr John Mark Chietnum by his abductors in Kaduna is tragic and unfortunate. We live in the chains of kidnappings, Killings and http://mourning.My condolences to his family and the Catholic community," he tweeted.
Abducted Kaduna priest regains freedom
In another related report, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna state, on Tuesday, July 5, confirmed the release of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas, barely 24 hours after he was abducted by some armed men.
Silas was kidnapped from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church in Zambina, Kauru local government area of Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday, July 4.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, confirmed his release through a statement on Tuesday and thanked everyone who offered prayers for the priest.
Source: Legit.ng
