Islamic militants in Nigeria have destroyed 50 of the 52 Catholic churches in Borno State, a priest in the region charges.
Rev. Jerome Ituah of Christ the King Catholic Parish in Kurudu made the accusation Saturday, claiming to have witnessed the destruction by Boko Haram, an Islamic radical sect, UPI reports.
“Out of the 52 Catholic churches in Maiduguri diocese, 50 of them have been destroyed by Boko Haram,” Mr. Ituah said. “Yet the faithful are not discouraged of their faith. You would always see them worshiping under rain and sun in open places at the site of their destroyed places of worship.”
The reverend called on Catholics in Kurudu to pray for those in Maiduguri and elsewhere in troubled northern Nigeria, UPI reports.
Boko Haram has been waging a campaign of bombings and shootings across Nigeria’s north. They are held responsible for more than 790 deaths last year alone, and dozens more since the beginning of this year.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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