Increasing attacks on Catholic Churches: These Are Signs that Nigeria Is Sick - Okogie.

(From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM)

Byline: Chioma Anyagafu

FOR christendom and Catholic Church in Nigeria particularly, these have been odd times. First, a priest, Godwin Okwesili was killed at St. Dominic's in Yaba, followed by another attack by armed robbers at St. Leo's in Ikeja. In under three weeks, there was a third attack on another Catholic Church, St. Dominic's at Oko-Oba in Agege all in Lagos State. Few days after, men of the underworld stormed yet another Catholic Church in Obudu, Cross River State.

Without doubt, these attacks sent tongues wagging. Were these incidents coincidental or pre-determined? Why have armed thieves decided to make such places of worship their targets? What are the implications for the larger society?

Indeed, nobody in the Catholic community was better placed to speak on these ugly events than the Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, a man who has a reputation for saying it as it is. Thus, when he granted Saturday Vanguard audience, he did not mince words in heaping the blames where they ought to be. Cardinal Okogie blames the attacks and other ones outside the Catholic circle on insecurity and joblessness. Plus lots more. Excerpts.

In the past few weeks, no less than four parishes of the Catholic Church and Convent were attacked by armed robbers. In your view, why have the Catholic Churches become so attractive to these men of the underworld?

It's very unfortunate that the Catholic Church has been at the receiving end of armed robbers in the recent times. I won't say the Church is deliberately targeted by robbers. The one that happened to Reverend Godwin …