Tribute: CAN Condoles with Catholic Church Over The Death of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi

With deep sympathy, the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes to condole with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the entire Catholic faithful in the country on the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, the Parish Priest of St. Peter and Paul Church, Kafin-Koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, a few days ago.

Fr. Achi, who was buried on Friday, has earned his place as a committed servant of God and minister of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ on account of the high standards of ethics and devotion with which he discharged his responsibilities as a religious leader.

His death is a sad development at a time his parishioners and by extension other Christians in the country can benefit more from his leadership and sense of direction. It is a big loss to the Church in which he played major roles as priest, guardian and philanthropist to many needy members of our society. Because of these impeccable records, he lives in our hearts. His indelible footprints tell us that he will always be part of the journey of many believers in Nigeria and the world at large.

As we condole with the entire Catholic Church at this moment of grief, CAN calls on the security agencies and authorities involved in the protection of citizens to improve the internal and external security framework, in order to stop future occurrences of such incidents that led to Fr. Achi’s sudden demise.

May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!

A Tribute: Pope Benedict XVI

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is saddened by the demise of Emeritus Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, a great theologian whose life epitomized the balance of faith, reason and works in ways that positively influenced both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the world.

He had devoted his soul and intelligence to God for a more fraternal world, and had died in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, a house dedicated to prayer and self-sacrifice within the walls of the Vatican Gardens.

CAN pays tribute to Pope Benedict XVI who spent his days at the service of the Church, speaking to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth he possessed.

It will be difficult to fill the shoes of untiring efforts to find a common path in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world which Pope Benedict XVI left behind, but the Christian Association of Nigeria prays that God Almighty will continue to raise theologians like the late Pontiff who are committed to the defense of the Christian faith.

“A great theologian whose life epitomized the balance of faith”

CAN extends its condolences to his relatives, the Vatican, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and the faithful in Nigeria and the rest of the world over this great loss.