The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has said that no priest or Bishop was kidnapped after the attack on worshippers at the St Francis Church, Owo, Owo local government area.
It said it was Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic was expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity.
A statement by its Director, Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, said many were feared dead and others injured while the church was violated during the attack.
Ikwu stated that identity of the perpetrators remained unknown while the situation left the community devastated.
According to him: “At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity.
“Meanwhile, all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it.
“We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace.
“The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace an normalcy to retum to our community, state and country.”