The Kafanchan Catholic Priest, Rev Fr John Mark Cheitnum, who was abducted recently had been found dead.
Until his death, he was the Director of Social Communication for the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, confirmed the sad development to journalists. The Trumpet Gathered
It could be recalled that terrorists abducted two Catholic priests, Rev Fr John Mark Cheitnum and Rev Fr Donatus Cleopas, on Friday, July 15, 2022.
According to the chancellor, the remains of the Priest were discovered on Tuesday night.
The Chancellor said, “sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the Bishop, Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announce the gruesome murder of Very Rev Fr John Mark Cheitnum.
“However, we wish to announce that Rev Fr Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us.
“However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the Bishop, Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announce the gruesome murder of Very Rev Fr John Mark Cheitnum.
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“Fr. John Mark who was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Parish Yadin Garu, Lere L.G.A of Kaduna State, was brutally killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction; Friday 15th July 2022.
“His corpse was later discovered already decomposing on Tuesday 19th July 2022.
“Until his demise, he was the CAN Chairman, Jama’a LGA as well as the coordinating chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna. He was the Dean of Kwoi Deanery, Director of Communications in the Diocese of Kafanchan and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori, Jama’a LGA, Kaduna State
“His burial is slated for Thursday, 21 July 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
“We solicit for prayers for the repose of our dear brother Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to humbly call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands. The Diocese has declared a two-day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul.”
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