See what Pope Francis will do during mass burial of Catholic priests killed in Benue community

The Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Rev. Father Moses Iorapuu, on Saturday 19th May, 2018 disclosed to newsmen in Makurdi that the funeral of Rev. Father Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and the 17 parishioners killed in Mbalom community in Gwer west local government area of Benue state by suspected herdsmen will be conducted on Tuesday May 22nd.

The mass burial date was chosen during the bishops’ conference in Rome which also coincided with the date the anti-open grazing law bill was passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.

Rev. Iorapuu said that “The local church here (Benue) was under attack as the bishops were in a conference in Rome; so the Pope got primary information.

“It was there the decision was taken with the local church and they fixed the burial for May 22. Which all the bishops agreed.

“Exactly after one year, this is what we have to show; the priests and many others who were killed. The bishops will be here in their numbers but what they have done is to be sure that the burial has wider coverage and wider participation.”

The Rev. went further saying that all dioceses across the country have been directed to organise vigils and at 10am on Tuesday, there will be a simultaneous celebration across the country as a mark of solidarity with the Makurdi diocese over those killed.

“Some bishops will be leading ceremonies, others will be coming. The Pope’s representative in Nigeria will be present. The Abuja Archbishop, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has also arranged that there should be a well-organised procession in Abuja,” the director of communication added.