Thousands of Enugu State Catholic faithful, as well as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Tuesday, gathered at Holy Ghost Cathedral for the burial of slain priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Offu.
Until his death, Offu, 49, who hailed from Okpatu in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, was the Parish Priest of St. James The Greater, Ugbawka in Nkanu East Council Area of the state.
Offu’s body was brought to the church premises around 9:00 a.m., where he was buried after the Holy Mass.
Addressing the Catholic faithful during the Mass to bid Fr. Offu farewell, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Calistus Onaga said that the death of the priest had sent a message not just to people of Enugu State but to the whole of Nigeria and the world.
Bishop Onaga charged the Christians and indeed Nigerians to realise that the responsibility of securing the state and country was not just for those in power but for everybody.
He said, “Those who killed Fr Paul Offu have been caught. Not only that, those who killed Fr Clement have been caught as well. God is answering our prayer. Your excellency, thank you so much, we are praying for you too and we shall continue to work together.
“My dear brothers and sisters, Fr Paul has sent a message not just to us, not just Enugu Catholic diocese and Enugu State but the whole Nigeria and to the whole world. Let us realise that the responsibility of security in this state and in Nigeria is not just the responsibility of those in the ruling class, we should all be involved. Don’t stay aloof and stop pointing accusing fingers”, He said.
During a sermon, the Parish Priest of Holy Innocent Parish, Amagunze, Nkanu East, Very Rev. Fr. Sylvester Nwodo lamented the continued attack on priests, saying that the diocese has convened again within a short period of time to mourn another priest.
Below are the photos from the Vigil Mass on Monday Night.