St. Francis’ Catholic Church, in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, will re-open to worshippers on Easter Sunday, 10 months after it was attacked by suspected terrorists.
No fewer than 41 members of the church were killed while 69 others were injured in the attack which occured on June 5, 2022.
No suspect has been arrested in connection with the dastardly act.
The state government commenced the construction of a memorial park in Owo in honour of the deceased, with the Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, promising that the park would be completed in May this year.
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, who spoke about the reopening of the church at this year’s Chrism Mass as part of activities to mark the Easter celebration, said the church had been locked since the attack on worshippers and would be re-opened on Sunday.
He said, “Since the unfortunate incident that befell our members at the St Francis’ Cathedral in Owo on June 5 2022, the church has been closed down for security reasons and as a mark of respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
“The church shall be opened again for Easter Sunday. The government of Ondo State is as well, planning to commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre in honour of our fallen heroes.”