NB247
Exactly one year after the deadly terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, the Ondo Diocese of the church has commenced activities to formally open the church to worshipers.
Not less than 41 persons died in the incident which occured on Sunday, June 5, 2022, when worshippers were rounding off a special mass to mark the pentecost Sunday.
The attackers came shooting and hauling explosives into the church, resulting in the death of many innocent people.
Many others were severely injured, even as some are still nursing their wounds.
A statement by the Director of Social Communications of the diocese, Ikwu Augustine Ikwu, which was made available to journalists in Akure on Monday, noted that a week-long programme has been planned to officially reopen the church for the worshippers.
He said the programme, which began on Monday, was also in memory of those who lost their lives to the incident and in thanksgiving to God for those who escaped death during the massacre.
“The week features the opening of two memorial parks built by the Ondo State Government and Catholic Diocese of Ondo in honour of the deceased,” Mr Ikwu said.
“There will be Candle light procession mass of the dedication of the church and consecration of the altar and a memorial mass to round off the events.”
According to Mr Ikwu, visitation will be made to the families of the deceased and the disabled.
An interdenominational service held on Monday morning to herald the events.
The dedication of the church will hold on Thursday while the memorial mass would hold on Saturday, June 10.
The diocese had in April open the church partially to allow worshippers celebrate the Easter festival.