The necessity of virtue

L ast month, Father Isaac Achi was burned alive in his rectory by militants in Kafin-Koro, Nigeria. Another priest there, Father Collins Omeh, who was shot in the back but escaped. Before Achi insisted that Omeh flee, the two priests heard each other’s Confessions. Upon the possibility of imminent death, both wanted to be assured of God’s mercy, knowing themselves to be sinners. Christianity has a…