President of Ireland's Statement on Pentecost Massacre is Corrected by Catholic Bishop in Nigeria who Says it was Not Due to Climate Change
On Pentecost Sunday, June 5th, 2022, 50 people were killed and over 80 injured when gunmen opened fire in the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in Nigeria. Authorities have suggested the possibility that the attack was carried out by ISWAP or Islamic State West African Province. The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins subsequently released a statement (full text at bottom) which implies that climate change is responsible. However, the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Ondo, Dr. Jude Ayodeji Arogundade , of Nigeria, has written an open letter to the President of Ireland. In the letter he corrects the Irish president and
Full Text Letter:
SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT: THE MASSACRE AT ST. FRANCIS
CATHOLIC CHURCH OWO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY ISSUES IN AFRICA
Like many others, the President of the Republic of Ireland, The Honourable Michael D. Higgins, released a comment on Monday 7th of June, 2022 condemning the horrific terrorists’ attack which
took place on Pentecost Sunday at St. Francis Church Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. This satanic attack led to the callous massacre of 40 people including many children, women and men. It also resulted in injuries to over 126 people and emotional injuries to many more. Given the historical
connection between the Republic of Ireland and the Diocese of Ondo, the comments of the President of Ireland were of importance to me as the current Bishop of the Diocese of Ondo. The first two Bishops of the Diocese of Ondo were Irish men, the Church building in which the attack
took place was built by Irish Missionaries and some of the people killed were baptized, given the Sacraments of Confirmation and Matrimony - by many venerable Irish Missionaries. Also, Irish men and women laid the foundations of the faith for us in this part of the world. To their eternal
memories, we remain grateful.
While thanking the Honourable Mr Higgins for joining others to condemn the attack and offering his sympathy to the victims, his reasons for this gruesome massacre are incorrect and far-fetched.
In the second paragraph of his statement on the Massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Mr. Higgins said: “That such an attack was made in a place of worship is a source of particular condemnation, as is any attempt to scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost
victims of the consequences of climate change.” In the third paragraph, he said: “The neglect of food security issues in Africa, for so long has brought us to a point of crisis that is now having internal and regional effects based on struggles, ways of life themselves. In his last paragraph,
he concluded that “the solidarity of us all, as peoples of the world, is owed to all those impacted not only by this horrible event but in the struggle by the most vulnerable on whom the consequences of climate change have been inflicted.”
To suggest or make a connection between victims of terror and consequences of climate change is not only misleading but also exactly rubbing salt to the injuries of all who have suffered terrorism
in Nigeria. The victims of terrorism are of another category to which nothing can be compared! It is very clear to anyone who has been closely following the events in Nigeria over the past years
that the underpinning issues of terror attacks, banditry and unabated onslaught in Nigeria and in the Sahel Region and climate change have nothing in common. Such comments associating banditry, kidnapping and gruesome attacks on innocent and harmless citizens of Nigeria with
issues concerning climate change and food securities are deflections from the truth.
Perhaps if many have taken some time and keen interest to follow the events in Nigeria very closely, they would have realized that alluding to some form of politics of climate change in our present situation is completely inappropriate. Terrorists are on free loose slaughtering, massacring, injuring and installing terror in different parts of Nigeria since over 8 years not because of any reasonable thing but because they are evil — period!
Besides the horrendous event of Sunday Sth of June, 2022 in Owo in Southern part of Nigeria, it might interest you to know that the incessant cases of kidnappings (many which results in death), attacks on many churches, attacks on communities, attacks on public transportation, attacks on markets etc; have been the trademarks of the terrorists especially in the northern region of Nigeria. There is a profound fear in every part of the country and such a situation has nothing to do with climate ideology.
I wish to make it clear that we totally understand the preservation and judicious use of the resources of climate, and the Holy Father Pope Francis in his 2015 Encyclical Laudatio si already articulated the position of the Catholic Church on this matter. It is the responsibility of every one of us to take care of our earthly home. The duty to preserve the environment begins first with the duty to protect the lives of the unborn child, children, men and women.
While we are still mourning our loved ones after the horrible attack, | wish to appeal to those who are trying to take advantage of this horrific event to project any form of ideological agenda, to desists from such opportunism. I implore everyone to pray for Nigeria and indeed for peace in the world.
The victims of terrorism and indeed all the people of Nigeria would be thankful if world leaders propose fruitful ideas to the government of Nigeria on how to protect the citizens and make Nigeria a safe place to live. This would be a better way of honouring the victims of hate and putting an end to the incessant killings in Nigeria.
Bishop Dr. Jude Ayodeji Arogundade
Bishop's Office
Catholic Diocese of Ondo Akure, Nigeria
10th June 2022
Bishop's Office
Catholic Diocese of Ondo Akure, Nigeria
10th June 2022
Statement by President Higgins on massacre in St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria
Date: Tue 7th Jun, 2022 | 16:24
“As President of Ireland, and on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in Owo District of Nigeria in the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, as they marked Pentecost Sunday.
That such an attack was made in a place of worship is a source of particular condemnation, as is any attempt to scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost victims of the consequences of climate change.
The neglect of food security issues in Africa, for so long has brought us to a point of crisis that is now having internal and regional effects based on struggles, ways of life themselves.
The solidarity of us all, as peoples of the world, is owed to all those impacted not only by this horrible event but in the struggle by the most vulnerable on whom the consequences of climate change have been inflicted.”
Date: Tue 7th Jun, 2022 | 16:24
“As President of Ireland, and on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in Owo District of Nigeria in the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, as they marked Pentecost Sunday.
That such an attack was made in a place of worship is a source of particular condemnation, as is any attempt to scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost victims of the consequences of climate change.
The neglect of food security issues in Africa, for so long has brought us to a point of crisis that is now having internal and regional effects based on struggles, ways of life themselves.
The solidarity of us all, as peoples of the world, is owed to all those impacted not only by this horrible event but in the struggle by the most vulnerable on whom the consequences of climate change have been inflicted.”
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