Madalla blast: We have forgiven the bombers, says priest

The Parish Priest of St TheresaCatholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Reverend Father Isaac Achi, has held out an olive branch to those who bombed his church on Christmas Day.Achi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan's visit to the blast scene in Madalla, Suleja Local Government Area, near Abuja, that the parishioners had forgiven the bombers.'We the Christian community of this church have forgiven those who hurt us, those who killed us, those who murdered us.'We are not going to take revenge but God will take revenge for us.'Therefore, I call on Christians all over the country to forgive them.'Achi noted that the attack in which more than 35 people lost their lives and scores were injured had led to a reduction in the number of parishioners turning up for mass in the church.'Since the incident, there has been a reduction in the turnout of parishioners for programmes.'But this may not be as a result of the bomb blast alone, it may be as a result of festivities; some people have travelled and so on.'But since yesterday (Friday), I can see a greater number turning out for mass not minding those of them who have travelled, not minding those who are in the hospitals.'This is because for each of the victims in the hospital, there may be one or two relations staying with him in the hospital.'So, where you have 200 lying critically ill in the hospital, you have another 300 hundred staying with them. This has led to a reduction in attendance at mass.'But God is in control.'The priest commended Jonathan's visit on Saturday, saying 'the visit of Mr President to this place is to prove his status as a true father of this nation.'He has given us the feeling that his children were being injured, that his children were being killed and properties are being destroyed.''This is a right step, his coming is to build up hope and confidence in the people.'The visit of Mr President has, in a way, given some confidence in the government; we see our father behind us, so we are not afraid.'He has promised that he would do something to wipe out terrorism in Suleja Local Government Area.
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