“Pope Francis has expressed his condolences for the victims of a terror attack on a Catholic Church during Mass in Nigeria’s southwestern Ondo State that killed more than 50 people, including several children.”
At Pentecost, the Apostles and their followers gathered together in a room. Celebrating Pentecost Sunday mimics this, by gathering together to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. This year, that was taken away from the community of the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria, as gunmen opened fire on the worshipers and set off explosives.
This terror attack has resulted in a devastating 50+ death toll, with many more injured. Doctors have appealed for blood donations over social media, with the fear this death toll will rise due to the extent of wounds and injuries.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office says Pope Francis “prays for the victims and for the country, painfully attacked at a time of celebration, and he entrusts everyone to the Lord, that God might send His Spirit to console them.”
We turn to God to pray for the lives lost in this distressing attack, and for their families.
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