The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, has condemned the killing, on Christmas eve, of three worshippers by suspected hoodlums, during a Christmas vigil mass, on Sunday night.

Nworie, who made the disclosure at yesterday’s Christmas service at Saint Theresa Cathedral Church, said the killing occurred at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, at 11.30pm, on Sunday.

The bishop described the incident as sad, disheartening and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. He explained that the suspected killers invaded the church while a priest was celebrating a vigil mass service, killing and injuring many others. Nworie said such an unfortunate act had never happened in any church in the state.

“This is the first time such an incident is happening in the church and in Ebonyi State in general,” the Bishop noted.

Earlier, the clergy, in his sermon, encouraged people to align themselves with the significance and teaching of Christmas. He urged the faithful to pray for the unity and progress of the state and nation.

All efforts to get a reaction from the Ebonyi Police Command were fruitless as the command has no spokesperson at the moment.