AFRICA/NIGERIA - The Bishops of the State of Anambra: "Fasting and prayer in Lent for peace"

Wednesday, 2 March 2022 lent peace bishops

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Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "The forces of darkness and death seem to have cast its shadows over the south-eastern part of our country. This has not been part of our history or who we are as a people. In the midst of these tragedies, many people are tempted to lose faith in God and hope in man", say the Bishops in the State of Anambra, part of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, in south-eastern Nigeria, in a statement in which they declare 40 days of prayer and fasting to call for the restoration of security in the region. "For quite some time now, the South-eastern jurisdiction which God entrusted to our pastoral care has become a theatre of ungodly and wanton destruction of life and properties", said the statement signed by the Archbishop of Onitsha and President of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Province, His Exc. Msgr. Valerian M. Okeke on behalf and in the name of the Bishops of the Province he presides over.
The Bishops invite the faithful to pray and not to give in to despair: "It is against this prevalent despondency, that we send you this message of hope and call for prayers especially this holy season of Lent. We are indeed convinced that those who put their trust in the Lord can never be disappointed". This is why the Bishops launch an appeal "to individuals and families, associations, parishes to pray the Rosary daily and faithfully in this season of Lent, so that this cloud of blood that hangs over our region collapses like the walls of Jericho". Furthermore, "the prayers for peace and security are now declared in all the dioceses of our Province to begin on Ash Wednesday, 2nd March 2022. The prayers will last for 40 days (from Ash Wednesday, 2nd March to Palm Sunday, 10th April 2022)".
According to a local media report, more than 100 policemen and members of the security forces have been killed by gunmen since last year in southeastern Nigeria. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/3/2022)