The Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, His Grace,
Albert Ayinde Fasina, has ordered Benediction across the diocese over the unreleased of
the kidnapped Rev. Fr. Mathew Oguleru, reports ITRealms.
An epistle dated
Saturday, June 24, 2017, made available to ITRealms, Bishop Fasina urged faithful in the diocese to have hope in
the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the epistle, entitled “Be
Strong and Let Your Heart Take Courage, All Who Hope in the Lord” the Bishop ordered
Benediction to be celebrated across parishes on today, Sunday 25th,
June 2017 by 5pm.
“We are encouraged to fast and offer daily family rosary
for this intention. Let us ask God to grant release to our brother, and
protection to us all,” he said.
Bishop Fasina said that he
was compelled to write to his brethren in the Lord, following the untold pains brought
to the diocese by the abduction of “our brother, Rev. Fr. Matthew Oguleru of
Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Ilado, by some unknown men. Fr. Oguleru was
abducted on his way to morning Mass at Ososa on the 21st of June, 2017.”
This unfortunate and sad event, he said, is a test of faith
in God for the diocese, which is capable of inducing fear and enslaving faithful.
“As children of God, we must not be cowed by the devil
and his agents. Rather, let us remain strong and continue to hope in God, who
is the source of life so that we would have our brother return to us safe and
sound,” he said.
The bishop pointed out that since this event occurred, the
diocese has been fasting, praying and offering Holy Masses for the safe release
of Fr. Oguleru at different parishes.
“I want to sincerely thank you all for this and also
implore you not to relent in this act of love and solidarity till we have our
brother back. To this end, I ask that there should be Benediction in all our
parishes on Sunday 25th June, 2017 by 5pm,” he said.
Further, Bishop Fasina encouraged Catholics to fast and
offer daily family rosary for this intention.
“Let us ask God to grant release to our brother, and
protection to us all,” he prayed, stressing for earnest prayer so that as the
Lord freed Daniel from the lion’s den (Dan.6:2-28), the Hebrew Children from
the fiery furnace (Dan.3:21-50) and, Paul and Silas from the jail
(Acts.16:25-40), so too the Lord will save Fr. Oguleru from the hands of the
kidnappers.
He also commended all member of the Ijebu-Ode diocese to
the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Perpetual Help and
St. Anthony.
Nonye Dom/GEE
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Pix: Kidnapped Rev. Fr. Mathew Oguleru
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