By HARUNA AHMED, Kaduna –
A priest of The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Fr. John Mark, who was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Parish Yadin Garu, Lere LG.A of Kaduna State, has been brutally killed by his abductors on Friday last week.
It was gathered that his decomposing corpse was later discovered in a nearby farm in a village on Tuesday, 19 July, 2022.
The deceased was said to have been abducted alongside his colleague, Reverend Father Donatus Cleopas, who later escaped from the abductors.
The Chancellor, Gratias Vobis Et Humilem, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, confirmed the development in a statement issued to NATIONAL ACCORD in Kaduna.
He said : “Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us”.
‘However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the Bishop, Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announce the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum”
“Fr. John Mark who was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Parish Yadin Garu, Lere LG.A of Kaduna State, was brutally killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction; Friday 15 July, 2022. His corpse was later discovered already decomposing on Tuesday 19 July, 2022”.
Until his demise, he was the CAN Chairman, Jama’a LGA as well as the Coordinating Chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna. Fr. was the Dean of Kwoi Deanery, Director of Communications in the Diocese of Kafanchan and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori, Jama’a LGA, Kaduna State.
His burial is slated for Thursday,21″ July 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan, Kaduna State. Time: 10am
The Chancellor, however, solicited for prayers for the repose of our dear brother, Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family.
“We wish to humbly call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands”, he said.
He further added that the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan has declared a two day mourning for the peaceful repose of his soul.
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