by Adeola Balogun

In a firm stance against kidnapping and ransom paying, the Anglican Communion has stated that it will not pay a single dime to secure the freedom of  Archbishop Ignatius Kattey who was recently kidnapped.

The church through its leadership instead urged the Archbishop’s captors to release him unconditionally and with immediate effect.

Kattey, who is the Dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, was abducted along with his wife, Beatrice, around Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday at about 10:3opm. Mrs Kattey was however released the same day.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Church reportedly said it would not pay any ransom to secure his release. The Church condemned the kidnap of the priest, saying members have been praying over the incident.

The President of the Council of Clergy of the Church for the Niger Delta North, Venerable Richard Opara, urged the Presidency, the Rivers State Government and the Inspector- General of Police to wade into the matter and ensure the release of the cleric unhurt. Opara, who said the Church is drawing inspiration from the Holy Bible, Exodus 21 verse 16, said it is wrong to wage war against the servants of God

He said: “The kidnap of Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, came to the Diocese as a shock; his wife was released and he (Kattey) is still in the custody of the abductors. We wonder his offence and why an Episcopal divine of the standing of the Dean, Church of Nigeria, Archbishop, Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, the Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, will be abducted.

“The Holy Book abhors kidnap and so does the Church. We, therefore, demand for the unconditional release of the Dean, Church of Nigeria.

“We are, therefore, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, to expedite action and ensure his release.” Opara explained that the hoodlums had not made any contact with the church to demand for ransom, adding, however, that the church would not pay any ransom to secure Kattey’s release.

“No contact has been made with the captors. We will not pay any ransom. Ransom payment is not in our dictionary. We are only asking for his unconditional release. We are not happy and the Church of Nigeria is weeping because the number two man has been taken away,” he said.

The Chairman, Council of the Knights, Diocese of the Niger Delta North, Anglican Communion, Charles Chukwu, said the kidnap of the cleric came to the council as a shock, wondering what the cleric could have done. He lamented that the whereabouts of the cleric were still unknown since he was abducted on Friday even as he called for his unconditional release.

“We are appealing seriously to his captors to please, in the name of God who created us all to release the servant of God who was on his way to carry out God’s own service. “We have not established any contact with the abductors. We want an unconditional release of His Grace, the Archbishop. Ransom is not in our dictionary and we are not going to pay. We are asking for his unconditional release so that the church can move forward.

“We also appeal to all well-meaning citizens, the IGP, the Rivers State Governor, the state Commissioner of Police to ensure his release without any further delay.” Special prayers were earlier held for Kattey’s release with all the clergy in black to signify their mourning mood, while curses were heaped on those directly and indirectly linked with the abduction.