Diocese of Fairbanks
A Nigerian bishop is asking the faithful to pray for the safe return of Father Alphonsus Afina, a priest who formerly served in remote Alaskan parishes and was recently abducted by Islamist militants in Nigeria.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Fr. Afina was kidnapped June 1 by suspected members of Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram. The Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, confirmed that its former missionary priest had been taken while traveling in northeastern Nigeria.
This week, Auxiliary Bishop John Bagna Bakeni of the Diocese of Maiduguri issued an urgent request for prayers, sharing additional details about the abduction, Premier Christian News reported. The bishop said that Fr. Afina had been traveling from Mubi to Maiduguri with two staff members of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), en route to a scheduled workshop.
According to his account, the group became caught in a crossfire between Nigerian military forces and Islamist militants.
“There were many fatalities and abductions,” Bishop Bakeni said. “One member of the JDPC was shot dead. Father [Afina] was abducted along with others, and one of the staff of the JDPC was able to escape to safety.”
Bishop Bakeni said the terrorists contacted him directly and provided proof that Fr. Afina is still alive. He expressed hope for the priest’s safe release and asked Catholics to join in prayer for him and for the diocese of Maiduguri, “especially during this difficult and trying moment.”
He said, “May Our Lady of Perpetual Help intercede for us and for her son, Father Alphonsus Afina, for his safe return to us.”
Fr. Afina had ministered for several years in Alaskan communities including Nome, Unalakleet, and Fairbanks, where he was known for his joyful spirit and constant laughter. He returned to Nigeria last year to help establish a trauma center for victims of Boko Haram’s violence.
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