Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum, one of the catholic priests kidnapped in Kaduna state, has been found dead, POLITICS NIGERIA can authoritatively report.
Chietnum was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleopas were abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna on July 15th.
Chietnum was the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Confirming the sad incident, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, in a statement by Rev. Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, said while Chietnum was killed, Cleopas escaped from the kidnappers’ den.
He said the decomposing body of the priest was discovered on Tuesday. The victim was reportedly murdered on the same day he was abducted.
“As we solicit for prayer for the repose of our dear brother and Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to call on all an sundry to refrain from taking the law into their hands.”
“The Diocese declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul,” the church said in a statement.
THIS IS MOST BARBARIC UNFORTUNATE AND UNACCEPTABLE.
The church and religion leaders in the country have injected much of their essences in the DIRTY MURKY waters of Nigerian politics.
It is neither withing the scope nor in the position of any religion group to make political statements. They have strayed and swayed out of their callings, far away from the vineyard far too much to avoid the gruesome consequences and fallouts of such MISADVENTURES.
I have screamed and been making the point to whoever cares. there have been too much of the CHURCH with religion in the crazy politics of Nigeria which makes the cassock too vulnerable for this type of treatment. Nigerian political terrain is for the CRAZY THE DIRTY THE DESPERADO. Including, the ones with genuine intentions for service to humanity, a potpourri of all sorts and all kinds.
MAY THE SOUL OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED REST IN THE BOSSOM OF THE LORD.