A priest who spent years serving in remote Alaskan parishes was recently kidnapped in his native Nigeria by Islamist terrorists.
Church officials in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, say Father Alphonsus Afina was kidnapped by the militant group Boko Haram, according to a June 4 report from Alaska’s News Source. Fr. Afina had spent several years serving in Alaskan communities, including Unalakleet, Nome, and Fairbanks.
Father Robert Fath, vicar general of the Fairbanks diocese, confirmed that the Nigerian Diocese of Maiduguri reached out to inform them of the kidnapping. The message came directly from Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, who is now coordinating with Nigerian authorities and the military to locate the missing priest.
Fr. Fath remarked that Boko Haram’s decision to inform Church authorities in Maiduguri about the kidnapping was out of the ordinary.
“They typically don’t reach out to organizations unless they’re sending, you know, video of the execution of their prisoners,” he told Alaska’s News Source. “So we’re hopeful that through our prayers, our intercessions, that will soften their hearts to release him.”
Fr. Afina, originally from Maiduguri, arrived in Alaska in 2017. Known for his joyful spirit and deep prayer life, he made a lasting impression on parishioners across the state.
“He’s a man of great prayer, a man of great faith,” Fr. Fath said. “Very gregarious and happy individual… always laughing, regaling us with stories from back in Nigeria.”
After several years of ministry in Alaska, Fr. Afina returned to Nigeria last year to help establish a trauma center for victims of Boko Haram’s violence.
On June 3, hundreds gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fairbanks to pray for Fr. Afina’s safety, according to Alaska’s News Source. Fr. Fath said around 200 people attended the Mass in person, with many more joining virtually.
“[T]he best thing we can do is pray,” Fr. Fath said. “It’s the most powerful thing that we can do at this point; pray for his strength during this time of captivity and persecution, but also [that] he’ll hopefully, God willing, one day be freed.”
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