The two priests and worshipers murdered at St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Ayar, Benue, were praying for a solution to the killings in the state when suspected herdsmen struck on Tuesday.
Jude Ortese, a reverend father and chancellor of the Catholic diocese of Makurdi, made this known on Wednesday.
He said the 19 victims will be buried at Susugh Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati, Ikpayongo, Gwer east local government area of the state.
Ortese said: “The two priests will be buried with their worshippers and this is significant because they were praying together and seeking lasting solution to the unending killings, which had become a recurring decimal.
The reverend father charged the federal government to live up to its responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians.
He warned against a situation where the people will have to defend themselves.
“We cannot go back to the primitive way of buying weapon to defend ourselves because out of million of Nigerians one person is elected to protect us and the person should perform his constitutional duty,” he said.
“Nigerians are paying taxes to be protected, so the federal government must protect our lives and properties.
The mass burial, he said, will hold on May 22.
