From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Catholic Church of Nigeria has described the kidnapping of a cleric as a reflection of the degenerated Nigerian system.
The Director, Social Communication Commission, Reverend Anthony Omodunbi who spoke on behalf of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Osun State, Most Reverend John Oyebola, on Wednesday, insisted that the position of the church not to pay ransom to kidnappers to secure release for any of its priests and official is still intact.
Reacting to the kidnap of two priests and two others at the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State, he said, “the church authority has not changed the position that we won’t pay ransom for the freedom of priests and any of its personnel.”
He added that “When clerics are being kidnapped, it shows how degenerated we have become as a country. When you hear that a priest has been kidnapped, you should be sure that 20 other Nigerians have been kidnapped without us knowing.”
He continued, “The church will continue to sensitise the congregation that everybody should be security conscious and avoid anything that could attract kidnappers to them.
“We shall continue to speak to the state that they are failing in their responsibilities of security and welfare. Clerics should continue to ensure security for themselves as long as it is lawful.”