SW News: Even in the face of extreme Christian persecution, vocations are flourishing in the Kaduna Archdiocese of Nigeria where its Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso ordained 11 deacons as priests on Thursday, July 14, at St Paul’s Parish in Karji, Kaduna.

The faithful belonging to the Archdiocese of Kaduna are subject to harsh persecution from Islamist militant groups and attacks from bandits.

Earlier this month, armed persons abducted Fr Emmanuel Silas from the Rectory at St Charles Catholic Church in Zambina of Kaduna state. He was released by his captors on July 4 itself, before 24 hours had passed. Similar instances of kidnapping are very common occurrences among the community of priests and also lay believers in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, as well as nearby places.

Last month, worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St Moses Catholic Church were attacked by gunmen. In this raid by suspected terrorists on June 19, three people were killed, and two others were wounded.