Archbishop Speaks Against Suicide Bombing
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
KADUNA, NIGERIA (Worthy News)– The recent suicide bombing of a Catholic church in northern Nigeria was denounced by the Archbishop of Kaduna.
“A cowardly, barbarous and horrible act, that any ordinary person can only condemn,” Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso told Fides News Agency. “It is unthinkable that anyone is able to commit such actions, but unfortunately it happens.”
After rumors of reprisals surfaced in Kaduna, both government and religious leaders asked Christians not to retaliate for the bombing.
“I have no direct knowledge of retaliation actions,” said Ndagoso, “but as soon as the news about episodes of revenge on behalf of Christians spread, I immediately launched an appeal via radio to calm and peace. Unfortunately one cannot control everyone.”
“The President of the Assembly, who is a Muslim, condemned the attack; today we will see if other Muslim leaders will join in condemning this brutal act,” he said.
The suicide bomber killed himself and seven others after he drove an explosives-laden jeep into St. Rita’s parish in Kaduna during Mass.
When the driver was stopped at the security gate outside the church, he first reversed the jeep, but then drove straight through and detonated the explosives, leaving a gaping hole in the wall and ceiling near the sanctuary.
Hundreds of injured were taken to local hospitals.
Though responsibility for the attack has not been determined, it is believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group whose name translates as “Western education is sinful.”