By Ayodele Oni
The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has declared that it was not carried along in the process of demolition of the Memorial Park in honour of victims of June 5, terrorists attack at Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
Reacting through a statement on Wednesday to the demolition, which has attracted condemnation, the Church maintained that efforts to reach out to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa before the demolition was rebuffed.
The statement, signed by the Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade
stated that: “Immediately we heard of the demolition, the Diocese wrote a letter to His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, seeking an official audience to understand the reasons behind the demolition of the Memorial Park and to seek clarification about its future.
“As of this statement, over 72 hours have passed, and no reply has been received from the Governor’s office.”
On the position of the Church, it added that “There is no doubt that the demolition is a violation of our common respect for the dignity of life and the memory we share of our 41 brothers and sisters who were unjustly killed.
“The Catholic Diocese of Ondo unequivocally condemns and finds unacceptable the sudden and unannounced demolition of the Memorial Park in Owo.
“This site, established by the State Government, served as a neutral and communal space for remembrance, reflection, and communal healing after the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack. Its demolition seems to have renewed the pain of everyone who was affected by the attack, and justifiably so.
“We recall that when protests arose last year regarding the site, the Diocese issued a statement making it clear that the space was a Memorial Park and not a graveyard.
“In the letter, the misunderstanding by those who thought it was a burial ground, especially due to its proximity to the Palace, was addressed openly, and an appeal was made for understanding and mutual respect.
According to the Church: “The site was legitimately acquired and developed by the State Government and publicly designated as a Memorial Park for honouring the victims.
“It was commissioned and blessed by the State Government and the Church respectively. The faithful and the general public were shocked and deeply saddened that the State Government, in collaboration with the Olowo chose to demolish the site without any prior notice, consultation, or official dialogue with the Church.”
It demanded an official explanation from the state government on the future of the park, whether it will be relocated to another site.
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