Lagos, Nigeria, Sep 4, 2008 / 00:08 am
Father John Mark Ikpiki, a prominent Catholic priest, was killed by armed robbers in Nigeria on Monday in what was described as a shocking and dehumanizing crime.
Father Louis Odudu, the Director of Pastoral Affairs at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said robbers shot Father Ikpiki and stole his car. Father Odudu reported the assailants abandoned the car sometime later, according to an e-mail CNA received from Catholic journalist Peter Dada in Lagos, Nigeria.
Father Ikpiki, a priest of the Diocese of Warri, is described on the diocesan web site as a preacher, an “educationist,” a psychologist, and a communicator. He published the Living Witness Series of educational material to help people to grow in knowledge of God and knowledge of self.
The priest authored more than ten books and offered retreats and seminars for young people.