The UISG renews solidarity and spiritual closeness to the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles.

(OLA) as the drama of abducted kids and teachers in Nigeria continues. The Sisters are making a further appeal to the global community to come to the aid of the 165 persons from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Nigeria, West Africa. The schools are directed and administered by the OLA Sisters.

On November 21 st , an armed gang attacked the school community and forcefully took away 265 children and staff members.

“It was with great joy we welcomed the news on December 14th that 100 people had been freed: 14 secondary school students, 1 staff member, 80 primary school children and 5 nursery school children. However, this joy is tempered with ongoing anguish and concern for the safety of the remaining 165: 11 staff members, 35 children from the nursery school and 119 from the Primary School,” the press release of the OLA Sisters reads.

These children range from age 5 to 12/13, they are not properly clothed and kept in atrocious conditions in the forest, reads the communiqué signed by Congregational Leader Sr. Mary T. Barron, OLA. The Superior General asks:

“How much longer must their suffering endure?”

She implores God’s protection on the abducted people and is grateful for the immense support they have received so far:

“We ask all Religious Congregations, Catholic institutions, faith communities, and people of goodwill around the world to not relent in our efforts to support this community through our fervent prayer.”

The OLA Sisters appeal also to those “who hold political power and influence to come to the aid of the Federal Government in Nigeria so these innocent children return to their communities immediately.” May they do it “in the interest of the safety and well-being” of the children and may God “guide leaders to act with justice, and bring all those taken back home safely”, they conclude.