Catholic faithful in Nigeria have resolved to wear black attires on Ash Wednesday – February 26 – as a sign of protest against the general insecurity in the country, especially the killing of Christians by Islamic extremists.
The Church has also mobilised its members all over the world to pray for the current insecurity challenges in Nigeria.
The Senior Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Nunkai in Jalingo, Taraba State, Rev. Fr. Felix Gobi, made this known during the Sunday Mass sermon.
He said the planned “Black Dress Protest” is across all the parishes in Nigeria.
Gobi, while urging his parishioners to come out in their numbers, said the Church would continue to express its concern over the killings of Christians and Nigerians until the security situation improves.
“We will continue to talk to our leaders that this way, we want to let them know that the killings of Christians by Boko Haram and killings of Nigerians by arm bandit and kidnappers is a condemned situation and must stop.
He said the planned “Black Dress Protest” is across all the parishes in Nigeria.
Gobi, while urging his parishioners to come out in their numbers, said the church would continue to show signs of concern over the unjust killings of Christians and Nigerians until the security situation is improve.
“We will continue to talk to our leaders that this way, we want to let them know that the killings of Christians by Boko Haram and killings of Nigerians by arm bandit and kidnappers is a condemned situation and must stop.
It was gathered that the same announcement about the planed protest was made in all the parishes of the Jalingo Diocese and beyond.
The Roman Catholic churches in big cities of Nigeria like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and other major cities would carry out the “Black Dress Protest” on the streets while other churches who are found in vulnerable areas would observe their protest in their churches as they mark the Ash Wednesday.