Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, has suspended all low-level pastoral activities at St. Peter’s Parish, in Makurdi, following the defilement of the Holy Eucharist and the stealing of sacred vessels in the Church.
The Diocesan Deputy Director of Communication, Rev. Fr. James Utav, confirmed the development.
According to Utav, the Bishop, while reading the decree sanctioning the suspension of pastoral activities, said the Parish would henceforth be closed from the celebration of Holy Mass and all other activities in line with Canon 1211.
It was gathered that the suspension, which took effect on September 15, 2020, followed two sacrilegious attacks on the Parish on 12 August and 13 September by some persons yet to be identified
.it was also learned that the decree sanctioning suspension states that the Parish will be closed from the celebration of the Holy Mass and all other pastoral activities in line with Canon 1211 with effect from today, 15 September 2020 until further notice,”
The deputy communication officer to the parish explained quoting the Bishop as revealing that the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the main Church building was broken into, during the attacks.
He said “The sacred specie of the Most Holy Eucharist was desecrated and sacred vessels were stolen thereby defiling the Church adding that the closure is to enable us to properly prepare for atonement required by law in order to repair the injury this dishonor has done to the sacred body of Christ.
He stated that Pastoral activities shall resume only after a proportional satisfaction is made with regards to the sacrilege.
He further quoted the bishop saying that better security will be guaranteed and structured for the parish in accordance with canonical requirements. Noting that when that is done, the entire worshipping community of this Parish, among other things, must perform a novena of reparation to be concluded with a rite of atonement in line with diocesan liturgical norms,”.