Pope Francis has urged Catholic faithful to pray for Isaac Achi, a reverend father brutally murdered by bandits last week in Minna, Niger State.
“I ask all of you to join me in praying for Father Isaac Achi, of the Diocese of Minna in northern Nigeria, who was killed last Sunday in an attack on his rectory,” the Pope beseeched pilgrims gathered at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Wednesday.
“So many Christians continue to be the target of violence: let us remember them in our prayers!” Pope Francis added.
Father Achi was set ablaze by angry bandits after they were unable to gain entry to the parish residence where he lived.
In the same vein, the Pope condoled the victims of a Church bombing in Kasindi, Congo, which left at least 14 people dead and more than 60 injured.
The Islamic State terrorist group had taken responsibility for the bomb attack.
The bombing in the Congolese church occurred the same day the priest (Achi) was burned alive in Nigeria.
The Pope expressed “compassion and closeness to all the families so hard hit by this tragedy.”
Rev Father Achi hailed from Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State and was celebrated as the first indigenous Catholic priest from Gbagyi/Koro land.
After his ordination on January 7, 1995, Father Achi was later transferred to the Minna Archdiocese of the church from where he was moved to different parishes.