Nigerian diocese pays tribute to priest who was murdered on Ash Wednesday

ACI Africa, Mar 6, 2025 / 12:45 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria is paying tribute to Father Sylvester Okechukwu, a diocesan priest who was murdered on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

According to the information provided by the Diocese of Kafanchan, Okechukwu was kidnapped from his residence at about 9:15 p.m. on March 4.

After being taken by his abductors, the 45-year-old priest was killed in the early hours of Ash Wednesday.

“It is yet to be determined why he was killed,” said Father Jacob Shanet, chancellor of the Kafanchan Diocese.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, Shanet said: “Father Sylvester was a dedicated servant of God who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the message of peace, love, and hope.”

Okechukwu was always available and accessible to his parishioners, Shanet added. 

“This untimely and brutal loss has left us heartbroken and devastated,” Shanet said in the statement. 

“His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him,” Shanet said, also calling for prayer for the repose of Okechukwu’s soul and inviting priests, religious, and all faithful to offer Masses and rosary prayers for the beloved priest.

Shanet also called for the youth and community members to remain calm and steadfast in prayer. “No one should take the law into their hands,” he stated.

Details of Okechukwu’s funeral arrangements will be announced when they are made available, Shanet said. “May we continue to hold one another in prayer and unity during this dark moment,” he added.

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

On the day Okechukwu was kidnapped, the Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria also sent out a prayer appeal for the release of a priest and a seminarian who had been abducted from a parish rectory the previous day. The two are still missing.

Okechukwu’s murder follows a series of other incidents that have targeted Catholic priests in the country, the most populous on the continent.

On Feb. 6, Father Cornelius Manzak Damulak, a priest of the Diocese of Shendam, and a student at Veritas University Abuja in Nigeria were abducted and later escaped from captivity. 

Later, on Feb. 19, Father Moses Gyang Jah of St. Mary Maijuju Parish in the Shendam Diocese was abducted alongside his niece and the parish council chairman, Nyam Ajiji. Ajiji was reportedly killed. Jah and his niece are yet to be freed.

Most recently, on Feb. 22, Father Matthew David Dutsemi and Father Abraham Saummam were abducted from the Diocese of Yola. They have not yet been released.

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

According to pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, a total of 13 priests were kidnapped in Nigeria in 2024 alone, all of whom were eventually released, and one was murdered, for a total of 14 incidents.

In a note shared with ACI Africa, ACN said it has joined the Catholic authorities of Nigeria in their call for prayers for the repose of Okechukwu as well as in their appeal to the government to increase security and put an end to the climate of fear that reigns in many parts of the country.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262591/nigerian-diocese-pays-tribute-to-priest-who-was-murdered-on-ash-wednesday