Catholic Bishops of Onitsha Province Declare Fasting and Prayer to End Killings

Deeply concerned by the increasing spate of violent attacks across Nigeria, the Catholic Bishops of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province have declared Friday, June 20, 2025, a day of fasting and prayer.

The declaration is part of a spiritual response to ongoing killings in the country, especially recent massacres in parts of Benue and Enugu States.

In a pastoral letter titled “Urgent Prayer Request to Stop Bloodshed in Nigeria”, the bishops called on all priests, religious leaders, and lay faithful to dedicate the day to intense spiritual intercession for peace and divine intervention in the face of worsening insecurity.

“The killing of innocent Nigerians in Benue, Enugu, and other parts of the country is inhumane, barbaric, and a gross violation of the sanctity of human life,” the bishops stated.

The letter, signed by Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha and Chairman of the province, along with Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, Bishop of Abakaliki and Secretary, highlighted the gravity of the recent incidents.

Particularly cited were the June 13 massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, and another deadly attack on June 15 in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, which left scores dead and displaced hundreds.

The bishops are not only calling on Catholics but all Nigerians of goodwill to participate in the spiritual exercise.

They emphasized that the day should be marked by:
• Fasting as a form of solidarity with victims and a plea for divine mercy.
• Masses and Holy Hours to intercede for national peace.
• Rosary prayers and Divine Office recitations to seek healing for the nation.
• Community vigils and parish-wide moments of silence for the souls of the departed.

“We lift our eyes to the mountains. From where shall come our help? Our help comes from the Lord,” the bishops quoted from Psalm 121, urging citizens to find hope in prayer despite the despair.

Beyond the spiritual dimension, the bishops strongly condemned what they described as the government’s failure to protect lives.

They demanded urgent action from both federal and state authorities to:
• Investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.
• Provide humanitarian support to affected communities.
• Restore order and security in volatile regions.

“Nigerians are living in fear. The government must rise to its constitutional duty to protect lives and property,” the bishops stressed.

The bishops also invoked the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace and Queen of Nigeria, calling on the Blessed Virgin to intercede for a nation that has endured years of grief, displacement, and terror.

“We entrust our country into the hands of Our Lady, asking her to heal our land and guide our leaders toward righteousness and justice,” they declared.

Since the declaration, several dioceses and Catholic lay organizations across the country have expressed support and announced similar observances.

Some parishes in Abuja, Jos, Owerri, and Lagos have scheduled public prayer sessions and candlelight vigils for Friday night.

Security analysts and civil society groups have also welcomed the Church’s move, describing it as both a moral outcry and a rallying call for national introspection.

As Nigeria continues to battle worsening insecurity, the Catholic Bishops of Onitsha Province are turning to spiritual means — fasting, prayer, and public advocacy — to demand change and encourage healing.

Whether on their knees or in the streets, Nigerians continue to seek peace in a land burdened by bloodshed.

Friday’s observance may not end the violence, but it is a powerful reminder that the fight for peace must be spiritual, moral, and political — all at once.