The brutal murder of Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum by terrorists has been referred to as a dangerous environment for Christian leaders by the Kaduna State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
According to Anaedoonline.ng, Fr. John Mark was brutally murdered by his kidnappers on Friday, July 15, 2022, the same day that he was taken from the rectory of Christ the King Parish YadinGaru in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, a priest who served as the state’s CAN chairman for the Jema’a Local Government Area and the coordinator of CAN in Southern Kaduna, was killed. Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the CAN state chairman in Kaduna, expressed regret in response.
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According to Rev. Hayab, “Kaduna State is a dangerous place to travel through and not safe, particularly for Christian leaders.”
The death of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum was announced by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in a statement made by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.
According to the statement, Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas, who was also kidnapped by terrorists, managed to escape from his captors.
The statement explained, “Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us.”
It added, “However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the bishop, clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announced the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.”
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According to the statement titled, “Re: Kidnapped priests of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan”, the statement further explained that his corpse was later discovered decomposing on Tuesday, July 15, 2022.
It stated that Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum served as the Dean of the Kwoi Deanery, the Director of Communications for the Diocese of Kafanchan, and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori in the Jama’a local government area of Kaduna State until his death. It also stated that he was the CAN Chairman for the Jama’a LGA and the Coordinating Chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna.
However, the Diocese has proclaimed a two-day period of mourning in order to pray for his soul’s peaceful repose and the souls of the faithful departed to rest in peace.
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