By Praise Chinecherem
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State has called for prayers for unconditional release of one of her priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu barely one week after his abduction.
Igweagu, Priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the State was reportedly abducted on Wednesday October 12, 2022 on his way home after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The church, in a statement titled, “An urgent call for sincere prayer -Re Kidnap if Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu,” signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor of Catholics Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Emeja Aroh, prayed for the conversion of his abductors.
The statement which was silent on whether any contact had been established with the abductors for ransom, however said the church was not relenting in her efforts towards his soon release.
The statement read, “It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the Priests, religious, lay faithfuls of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish Abata Nsugbe.
“Rev. Fr. Joseph was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening 12th October 2022.
“We solicit for sincere prayer for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.
“While pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, the undoer of knots, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt”
