Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the sympathies offered today on the death of the Independent councillor, Noel Collins.

I want to extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to the people of Nigeria at this time, as they continue to mourn the deaths of as many as 40 Christians, who were killed in church on Sunday of last week. Some 87 others were also injured. It can sometimes be the case that when these atrocities are committed far away, the impact on us is dismissed. It is felt that we cannot identify with the victims. Therefore, the scale of the horror is not appreciated. No doubt, for many, the Ukrainian war feels closer to home than events in south-west Nigeria. However, people of faith are a body. An attack against us is felt keenly by many as an attack on our spiritual family. As of yesterday, local authorities suspect that the responsibility for the terrorist attack lies with the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, a militant insurgent group which operates in the region, although no official claim has been made by the group.In recent years, the militant Islamic group, Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in Nigeria. Globally, there has been a clear rise in recorded instances targeting Christians since 2019. According to the data collected by the armed conflict location and event data, ACLED, project, there have already been 23 separate attacks on church premises and people linked to them so far this year. For the whole of 2021, there were 31 attacks and in 2020, there were 18. This is not the result of climate change. This is violent extremism.

The Bishop of Ondo, where the attack occurred, stated that "to suggest or make a connection between victims of terror and consequences of climate change is not only misleading but also exactly rubbing salt to the injuries of all who have suffered terrorism in Nigeria". To date, I do not think we have seen a mention of this from either the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste; not so much as a tweet.

Ireland needs to have a hard look at what supports we give to persecuted Christians around the world, including people in many areas whose exposure to the faith came from missionaries from our own shores. Those who want to help can donate to Aid to the Church in Need, which spans 195 countries and works tirelessly to end persecutions of Christians.