Catholic bishops in southeastern Nigeria have declared a special day of prayer and fasting as violence continues to claim lives across the country.
In a strongly worded joint statement, the Catholic Bishops of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province condemned recent deadly attacks in Benue and Enugu states, calling them “barbaric” and “a gross violation of human dignity.”
The bishops, who oversee dioceses across Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, announced that Friday, 20 June 2025, would be set aside for Catholics to fast and pray for peace in the nation.
“We are deeply pained by the relentless shedding of innocent blood,” the statement read, referencing the June 13 killings in Yelwata, Benue State, and another attack on June 15 in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State.
The letter, signed by Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha and Bishop Peter Chukwu of Abakaliki, called on the Nigerian government to take urgent action to stop the violence. “It is the government’s primary responsibility to protect lives, restore peace, and ensure justice,” they stated.
Catholics across the province have been urged to participate in Mass, pray the Rosary, and observe the Divine Office with the intention of ending the violence and honoring those who have lost their lives.
The bishops also invoked spiritual support, saying, “We lift our eyes to God, our help and protector,” and appealed to the Virgin Mary, referred to as Queen of Nigeria, for divine intercession.
They concluded by emphasizing that only a return to prayer, justice, and unity can bring true peace to the nation.