When I taught a course on peacemaking in the seminary, a few of my seminarian students were from Africa, from Kenya and Nigeria. (And the same was true with a workshop I presented for new priests to the U.S.) To a one they demonstrated a devotion that was remarkably strong—and they were taken aback by the devotional laxity we find in our nation. The sentiments expressed by Bishop Strickland should find their way into the seminaries. There is great value to be achieved in our seminary training taking on an international "catholic " flavor. If we do not have a strong internal peacemaking foundation, we can do little to change the situation in this world.
PLEASE PRESIDENT TRUMP 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 The horrific scale of the massacre of Catholics in Nigeria drew a reaction from a Catholic religious freedom advocate in Washington, Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach. “All accounts of those on the ground note that this is the bloodiest massacre on record. The military was aware this was happening and did nothing!” von Schleppenbach texted to TruthNigeria. “They did not show up until the massacre ended,” she continued. “The time is now for the Trump administration to name Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and for the US Congress to pass H.R. 220 in support of the State Department’s CPC previous designation,” according to von Schleppenbach, Principal Consultant Sovereign Global Solutions, LLC, a public affairs firm focusing on international religious freedom and human rights.
Thank you, your Excellency. In addition to praying a Rosary (or several) for the souls of those who were killed, and for the souls of the murderers, perhaps it's time we as laymen put a little holy pressure on our Bishops to speak up and broach this topic with Rome. A Papal statement made with clarity and courage might put an important spotlight on this matter and motivate further action.
God bless you and keep you. We the faithful are truly blessed by your ongoing and courageous witness to the Truth in Love during these turbulent times.
As with many others, I have immense respect for you. But there is something greatly missing. Something that leaps off the page. Ignoring it will not help. This was not an accident. Behind these acts there was a clear religious motivation.
What of Islam?
"How long, O Lord? How long will the world remain silent as the blood of martyrs cries out from the soil of Africa?"
We pray for all martyrd souls in Nigeria, Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. We pray for the conversion of hardened sinners. Lord, have mercy on us.
Heartbroken and angry because the people who can stop atrocities like this one do not even try.😞Is anyone in our government putting pressure on the government leaders of Nigeria to protect all its citizens? Trade sanctions or better trade deals in exchange for increased protection of Christians??? Who is the US ambassador to Nigeria?? Has he or she made a statement, called the President?? Sad, frustrated and praying for all those persecuted for their faith.
We cannot remain mere observers and consumers of the news. We must find a way to create a form of accountability that justice demands. The Church should lead without reservations a process of holding nations/governments accountable for the safety of those who are under their protection. This is an atrocity.
The ongoing killings of Christian in Nigeria is “religiously motivated” and “almost entirely fuelled by Islamist extremism”
What is new? Why the surprise?
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law reports that there were 52,250 Christian deaths recorded from July 2009 to April 2023 in Nigeria.
Still think it is the religion of peace?
Still think it is a religion of the same book as the Bible?
Certainly. There can be no doubt that the ultimate enemy, Satan, is behind the homicidal hatred of Muslims for the people of God as well as hatred of the rest of the human race.
If you in 2025 believe that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is authentic then no communication with you will be of any avail.
No, I have not read all the Talmud - that is between the believers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the population born into the Old Testament faith.
I am sufficiently familiar with the contents, however, to understand how a people despite being highly intelligent and passionately faithful to God arrived at the awareness that it was totally impossible for any person to keep the law; which insight opened the way for their hope in Messiah to come.
We are saved by faith, not by keeping the Law and so many current Catholics are deceived that their salvation comes from keeping the Catechism as if it were the Law of the New Covenant.
Dear Bishop Strickland, I believe I speak for a large number of Catholics when I say I would respond VERY generously if the US bishops sponsored a campaign with the goal of hiring a ruthless and effective mercenary group to protect Christians and Catholics in Africa. THIS is what I believe is our real duty now. Yours in Christ, Ray Martin Somers CT
I have been banging this drum for years and have personally known at least one Nigerian priest who was absolutely wonderful. This has made me sick to the core of my being and I further want to add to the good Bishop’s prayers that the perpetrators be hastily converted by Divine intervention be shown the true consequences of their unrepentant actions. A vision of hell at its worst would go a long way!
Our ptiest pastor is from Nigeria. He is filled to overflowing with love and joy. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have him as our pastor. I will pray and fast for his people, who are also our people, since he is a true spiritual father to us.
When I taught a course on peacemaking in the seminary, a few of my seminarian students were from Africa, from Kenya and Nigeria. (And the same was true with a workshop I presented for new priests to the U.S.) To a one they demonstrated a devotion that was remarkably strong—and they were taken aback by the devotional laxity we find in our nation. The sentiments expressed by Bishop Strickland should find their way into the seminaries. There is great value to be achieved in our seminary training taking on an international "catholic " flavor. If we do not have a strong internal peacemaking foundation, we can do little to change the situation in this world.
PLEASE PRESIDENT TRUMP 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 The horrific scale of the massacre of Catholics in Nigeria drew a reaction from a Catholic religious freedom advocate in Washington, Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach. “All accounts of those on the ground note that this is the bloodiest massacre on record. The military was aware this was happening and did nothing!” von Schleppenbach texted to TruthNigeria. “They did not show up until the massacre ended,” she continued. “The time is now for the Trump administration to name Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and for the US Congress to pass H.R. 220 in support of the State Department’s CPC previous designation,” according to von Schleppenbach, Principal Consultant Sovereign Global Solutions, LLC, a public affairs firm focusing on international religious freedom and human rights.
Thank you, your Excellency. In addition to praying a Rosary (or several) for the souls of those who were killed, and for the souls of the murderers, perhaps it's time we as laymen put a little holy pressure on our Bishops to speak up and broach this topic with Rome. A Papal statement made with clarity and courage might put an important spotlight on this matter and motivate further action.
God bless you and keep you. We the faithful are truly blessed by your ongoing and courageous witness to the Truth in Love during these turbulent times.
Your Excellency,
As with many others, I have immense respect for you. But there is something greatly missing. Something that leaps off the page. Ignoring it will not help. This was not an accident. Behind these acts there was a clear religious motivation.
What of Islam?
"How long, O Lord? How long will the world remain silent as the blood of martyrs cries out from the soil of Africa?"
We are not suppose to call out the Islamic terrorists who murder infidels of any world view in polite company?
We pray for all martyrd souls in Nigeria, Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. We pray for the conversion of hardened sinners. Lord, have mercy on us.
Heartbroken and angry because the people who can stop atrocities like this one do not even try.😞Is anyone in our government putting pressure on the government leaders of Nigeria to protect all its citizens? Trade sanctions or better trade deals in exchange for increased protection of Christians??? Who is the US ambassador to Nigeria?? Has he or she made a statement, called the President?? Sad, frustrated and praying for all those persecuted for their faith.
This is beyond heartbreaking! 🙏✝️🙏💔
One hopes in the faith of the Church which says if you die a martyr, you go straight to heaven. Eternal rest, and ora pro nobis!
We cannot remain mere observers and consumers of the news. We must find a way to create a form of accountability that justice demands. The Church should lead without reservations a process of holding nations/governments accountable for the safety of those who are under their protection. This is an atrocity.
The ongoing killings of Christian in Nigeria is “religiously motivated” and “almost entirely fuelled by Islamist extremism”
What is new? Why the surprise?
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law reports that there were 52,250 Christian deaths recorded from July 2009 to April 2023 in Nigeria.
Still think it is the religion of peace?
Still think it is a religion of the same book as the Bible?
It may be that Islam is being used as…..a broom ? True their religion is an anathema but that does not prevent them from being useful idiots .
I’m just sayin Doc ?
Certainly. There can be no doubt that the ultimate enemy, Satan, is behind the homicidal hatred of Muslims for the people of God as well as hatred of the rest of the human race.
Ok I’ve thought about it .
Your rage will abate Doc and when it does - think harder .
As for the rest of the human race …we are all made in the image of God .
Read the Qur'an - Robert Spencer has published a version in plain ordinary English.
Together with Sira and Hadith, the heart of Islam is laid bare and is in stark contrast to even secular humanism.
Genghis Khan, Rasputin, Nero, Alexander, Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin and Mao - made in the image of God too; what is your point?
Have you read the Talmud Doc or The Protocols …..
A riveting read .
If you in 2025 believe that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is authentic then no communication with you will be of any avail.
No, I have not read all the Talmud - that is between the believers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the population born into the Old Testament faith.
I am sufficiently familiar with the contents, however, to understand how a people despite being highly intelligent and passionately faithful to God arrived at the awareness that it was totally impossible for any person to keep the law; which insight opened the way for their hope in Messiah to come.
We are saved by faith, not by keeping the Law and so many current Catholics are deceived that their salvation comes from keeping the Catechism as if it were the Law of the New Covenant.
Amen😥
Dear Bishop Strickland, I believe I speak for a large number of Catholics when I say I would respond VERY generously if the US bishops sponsored a campaign with the goal of hiring a ruthless and effective mercenary group to protect Christians and Catholics in Africa. THIS is what I believe is our real duty now. Yours in Christ, Ray Martin Somers CT
His Emnnice how sad we are so blest in this country these people have nothing
My there souls rest in God
Thank you Bishop for your words of encouragement in this time of our grief as a diocese and as a state in Nigeria. May God continue to bless you .
I have been banging this drum for years and have personally known at least one Nigerian priest who was absolutely wonderful. This has made me sick to the core of my being and I further want to add to the good Bishop’s prayers that the perpetrators be hastily converted by Divine intervention be shown the true consequences of their unrepentant actions. A vision of hell at its worst would go a long way!
Our ptiest pastor is from Nigeria. He is filled to overflowing with love and joy. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have him as our pastor. I will pray and fast for his people, who are also our people, since he is a true spiritual father to us.