The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev.
Paulinus Ezeokafor, has said the Catholic Church will not pay ransom, and has
never done so to free any kidnapped priest.
Ezeokafor, who was reacting to the recent kidnap of
a priest, Rev. Father Christopher Ogaga, in Aragba, Oviri-Okpe, Delta State, and
the eventual demand for N15million ransom, said it would be foolhardy and
unimaginable for the ‘Universal Church’ to pay for the release of any abducted
priest.
The prelate, who spoke at St. Patrick's Catholic
Cathedral, Awka, emphatically said the reason the ‘Mother Church’ did not pay
ransom to kidnappers was because the church relied solely on people's benevolence
and goodwill for survival.
He wondered why anyone in their right senses would
ever think of kidnapping a priest of God, let alone, requesting ransom from the
Church.
The cleric added that Catholic priests owned
nothing, and therefore had nothing to give to anybody.
"Catholic priests live on parishioners'
benevolence. Whatever they receive as gift is what they live on, no additional
income anywhere. They have given up everything-children, wealth, and
acquisition of property.
"They sacrificed their earthly pleasures just
to serve God and humanity. They need prayers, help, encouragement and not this
type of treatment.
"These people are working for God and
humanity. They are not being paid. They rely solely on people's assistance,
goodwill and kind gestures for their survival. Why go after those working out
your salvation? I cannot understand it," Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Meanwhile, Fr. Ogaga was last week rescued by men of
the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State.
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