Dutse — The Bishop of Kano/Jigawa Diocese, Bishop John Namaza Niyiring has declared that the 10 Catholics who were killed in cold blood by a terrorist group during last Sunday Mass at St. Stephen chaplaincy, Bayero University Kano are martyrs.

Bishop Niyiring who made this declaration yesterday during the requiem Mass celebrated for all the 10 deceased Catholics at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, described the death as painful, saying the catholic church honours those who died in their faith.

Said he " These beloved Catholics who we mourn today were killed inside the church while worshiping God, even though their death is painful. We must rejoice with them because they have died as Martyrs who will receive merciful judgment of God".

Bishop Niyiring then admonished Catholics not to be weakened by the activities of those persecuting the church of God, stressing that Christians should remain faithful and strong inspite of the present persecution.