On March 8, Hear Her Cries*
In honour of International Women’s Day, on March 8, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has invited two Nigerian Christians to visit Italy. Maryamu Joseph (16), and Janada Marcus (22) are recent victims of the savagery of Boko Haram terrorists, who have been responsible for the deaths of 75,000 Nigerians over the past 13 years. (Cover photos: refugees in 2015 in the diocese of Maiduguri. Boko Haram has been destroying the lives of millions of people for far too long, especially the lives of women).
Finally freed in 2022—Maryamu having managed to escape, and Janada having been released after six harrowing days—the two victims were taken in by the priests and specialists of the Trauma Center of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, in Northeastern Nigeria. The center is managed by the local diocese and was built with the assistance of ACN. At the facility, victims of extremist violence are treated by a team of professionals.
The aim of the March 8, Hear Their Cries initiative, promoted by the Italian office of ACN, is to bring the dramatic testimony of these victims to the attention of Italian institutions and public opinion, considering these stories are rarely part of the public debate. Those in charge of the Italian office believe that this mortifying oblivion only aggravates the suffering of those who were subjected to violence.
Maryamu Joseph and Janada Marcus will be greeted by Pope Francis at the end of the General Audience of Wednesday, March 8. The two women will also be received by top level political personalities.
Then, on March 9 and 10, Maryamu and Janada will be received in audience by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and several members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.
The Canadian office of Aid to the Church in Need is preparing a magazine about Nigeria. The goal is to make known the very worrying situation of Christians in the country, as well as the work of the local Church—a presence that is recognized and appreciated for its work among the victims of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. The publication will be available in English and French as of April 3, and there will be a homepage featuring five videos which illustrate the main challenges facing the local Church.
*Read the report here.
