The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has called for prayers of atonement and reparation in response to what he described as a sacrilegious act at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church in Gidan Dare, Sokoto State.
In a statement titled “A call for prayers of atonement and reparation,” the Bishop recalled the events that occurred in Sokoto town following the alleged blasphemy killing of Deborah Yakubu, in which Muslim protesters entered the church premises and desecrated the Sacred Species in the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, the altar, and the main church, as well as destroying other valuables.
The prayer of reparation would begin on Monday, July 18th, and end on Sunday, July 24th, 2022, according to the statement, which invited the faithful to participate.
According to him, the spiritual exercise was essential in seeking God’s mercy on parishioners and the entire diocese in the state of forgiveness and purification.
“In response to this sacrilegious act committed at St. Kevin’s Church, it has become imperative for us in the diocese to perform an act of reparation seeking God’s mercy on the faithful of the parish and those of the entire diocese, as well as forgiveness of the perpetrators of the heinous act,” the statement said.
He urged Diocese members to fast while praying and urged everyone to remain calm, expressing optimism that the church would “overcome this difficult moment.”