Catholic bishop says over 200 churches destroyed during North-East insurgency

More than 200 Catholic churches have been destroyed during years of insurgency affecting the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, according to Auxiliary Bishop John Bogna Bakeni.

Bakeni said thousands of people, including both Christians and Muslims, had also lost their lives during the prolonged violence in Nigeria’s North-East.

He made the remarks during a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, during activities connected with the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

The bishop described the Diocese of Maiduguri as one of the Catholic communities severely affected by insurgency, displacement and attacks on communities.

He recalled that intensified attacks in 2014 forced thousands of Catholics and other residents to flee their homes.

Bakeni stressed that the violence had not affected Christians alone, noting that Muslims and other residents of communities across the region had also suffered killings, displacement and destruction.

Despite the damage, he said Catholic communities in the diocese had continued to worship and rebuild their lives.

The Boko Haram insurgency and subsequent activities of other armed groups have affected communities across Nigeria’s North-East for more than a decade.

Bakeni used his remarks to encourage Christians to remain committed to faith, truth, compassion and concern for others despite difficult circumstances.

The figures concerning destroyed churches and deaths were provided by the bishop and should be understood as his account of the impact of the insurgency on communities served by the diocese.