The Precious Blood of Martyrs

Following the recent attacks against Christians in Nigeria, Fr. Peter reflects on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and the example of true witness to the Faith they provide to us all.

By Fr. Peter Ewaoche Johnson

St. Francis Catholic church in Owo after the terrorist attack. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The privilege of visiting the Irish Mass Rocks and saying mass on some of them is always an awe-inspiring and overwhelming experience. All at once, one comes face to face with the authentic faith of our ancestors as well as the cruelty of persecution. The harder the cruelty, the greater the resolve and commitment to the faith!

Fr. Peter celebrating Holy Mass at a Mass Rock in Co. Armagh. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The numerous martyrs who were either killed, jailed, or deprived of land and necessities of life, and forced to perpetually live as second-class citizens in their own homes, chose this path of pain rather than compromise their faith. In the face of adversity, falsehood, and injustice of all sorts, they were even more daring. With their blood and sacrifice, they delivered a pure and undiluted faith to their children and invariably to the whole world.

Oh! how precious is the blood of martyrs! When Charles Lwanga and his 21 companions were martyred in 1887 in Uganda, a year later, the number of catechumens quadrupled. Today, Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of Catholic Action and of African youths, and the Ugandan Martyrs feast day is a public holiday in Uganda.

Martyrs never die in vain. Our life is not simply material existence but deeply spiritual, and our communion as Christians is deeper than can be imagined. The faith and sacrifice of one faithful Christian bears fruit beyond borders and to eternity. Oh! that Christians may know this and realise that their practice of the faith is not just for them but for humanity as a whole. Any sacrifice you make today to defend the faith in the face of persecution not only connects with the saints but with generations yet unborn. I believe the martyrs of old and those of our contemporary world are indeed enough evidence of this. Herein lies our strength and hope.

Martyrs in Nigeria

The situation of persecution of Christians in Nigeria is worsening by the day as the plot to annihilate Christianity and entrench Islamism becomes clearer. Almost every day a clergyman is kidnapped or murdered in Nigeria. Worshippers are attacked continuously in churches and as the daredevils become emboldened by the complicity of the government, no one seems to be safe anywhere now in the country.

The recent Owo massacre in St. Francis Catholic Church, on Pentecost Sunday, is just one among many that are hardly reported in the news. On Trinity Sunday, it was Igama in Benue State and on the feast of Corpus Christi, two other churches were attacked in Kaduna. It is an endless saga of mayhem that hardly seem to have any end in sight. The recent broad daylight lynching of Debora Samuel in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy is just one too many. The list is endless. It is no exaggeration that over the last decade, Nigeria has been the world’s leading source of Christian martyrs. A report by Christian persecution watchdog group, Open Door, says that Nigeria accounted for 90 per cent of Christians killed for their faith in 2018. With the present situation of things, that figure must have increased to 95 per cent.

There is perpetual intimidation and disenfranchisement of Christians in Nigeria ranging from kidnapping to deprivation of jobs and admissions to schools. The political sphere is heavily Islamised as Islamist adherents seek to dominate the leadership of the country and entrench Islamic practices over the public life of Nigeria. Today, the sharia legal system exists side by side with the Nigerian penal code in some states in Nigeria. The story seems an endless pit of woes, but it is not narrated here to foster despair. Rather it is told to testify to the richness of our faith and call for witnessing.

Bishop blessing one of those injured in the Owo attack. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

During persecution, the faith is challenged and tested in many ways and many questions seek for answers in the heart of believers: where is God; why is God silent; how do we respond to protect and preserve our life and faith? There are no easy answers to these questions. However, the words of scripture and the rich heritage of the Christian faith provide great resources. From the scriptures, we understand that our Master, the Lord Jesus anticipated the challenge His followers would face and prepared them ahead. He tells us that we are sent out like sheep among wolves and that a time will come when killing His followers would be considered a righteous act. Yet He assures us that every hair of our heads is counted, and we ought not to be afraid. He tells us in John’s gospel, “In this world, you will have tribulations but have courage, because I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). He assures us that those who stand firm to the end will wear a crown of glory.

Inspired by the testimonies of scripture and our rich heritage, Christians in Nigeria have remained resilient. They have continued to witness to their faith in many ways. These include prayers, apostolic action of peaceful demonstration, assisting one another to rebuild churches and destroyed structures; provision of relief services to victims; continuous appeal to the government to seek an end to the persecution; sensitization of her followers in the faith, through evangelical actions.

In Solidarity with Nigeria

Bishops visiting those injured in the Owo attack. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The effort of the Nigerian Church needs great compliments from Christian brethren all over the world. This is most needed now as the persecution heightens. Many Christians have lost their sources of livelihood. Many have been displaced from their farmlands and today live in makeshift camps. Great thanks to all who have contributed and offered to be benefactors of ACN. Your assistance continues to make a huge difference. May we continue to heed the cry of our brethren.

Apart from the material assistance you provide, continue to spread the consciousness of what is happening. The world needs to know that in the twenty-first century, at a time when the human rights of all to life and freedom of worship are advocated everywhere, Nigerian Christians are being deprived of that right every day. We cannot keep quiet amidst this grand plan to destroy the Christian faith. An assault on the Christian faith in Nigeria and in all places where the faith is persecuted is an assault on all Christians all over the world. Remember, we are all one in the faith. Continue to pray for persecuted Christians all over the world and do not be afraid to stand up for what you believe. Let us all heed the words of St Peter: “Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy, the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion looking for whom to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith” (1Peter 5:8-9). No one should intimidate us simply because we are believers. With God on our side, no matter the threat, we shall triumph.