AFRICA/NIGERIA - "Shocking attack, but we must not be intimidated," says to Fides the President of the Episcopal Conference

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "It is very sad and shocking that despite the security measures, a way was found to strike the faithful who go to Sunday Mass" says to Fides Agency, His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and President of the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria, commenting on yesterday’s attack, Sunday, September 23, against the Catholic Cathedral of Bauchi, in the north of Nigeria, committed by a suicide bomber belonging to the Islamist group Boko Haram.
Mgr. Kaigama describes the attack: "the bomber, a young man of about 20 years of age, waited for the faithful to come out from the Cathedral of St. John at the end of the Mass to swoop on them with a car filled with explosives. I talked with the Bishop of Bauchi, Mgr. Malachi John Goltok, and he told me that there are three victims and many are injured. The Cathedral was not damaged because the explosion occurred outside. Security measures are strict and to enter the church severe controls are carried out. This is why the bomber waited for the faithful to come out from the Cathedral."
After a wave of attacks in recent months that have hit the Christian churches in different parts of northern Nigeria, security around places of worship have been strengthened.
"This latest attack is really shocking, because one can never be sure of where, when and how the terrorists will attack. Right now I am going to a village to meet the faithful, but I do not know if I will return back home, because these People are so evil that they can do anything. But we must go on with our lives and our work, and not be intimidated by violence. Life goes on," concluded Mgr. Kaigama. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 24/09/2012)