The growing appearance of “private ministries” in Nigeria, led by priests and laymen, has set off alarms among the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). During its second Plenary Assembly of 2024, held from August 22-30, the Nigerian Bishops expressed their profound concern over the way these initiatives are distorting the Church’s unity and fomenting practices that are alien to Catholic Doctrine.
However, the phenomenon goes beyond the boundaries of Nigeria and Africa.
Fragmentation and Scandal in the Catholic Community
The CBCN pointed out that the phenomenon of “private ministries” has spread rapidly in several parts of the country, which has generated divisions in the Catholic community and caused scandal among the faithful. “The proliferation of these ministries is a motive of great concern,” said the Bishops in the context of the Assembly held in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi.
Addressing the representatives of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Monsignor Lucius Ugorji expressed the Church’s concern over the alarming increase of private ministries and the misuse of the social networks among priests.
Archbishop Ugorji pointed out that the emergence of private ministries poses important distractions for priests and runs the risk of scandalizing the lay faithful due to the fact that they deviate from the established ecclesiastical practices.
He also highlighted that the growing misuse of the social networks by priests is causing considerable shame to the Church. “We are concerned about the growing number of priests that dedicate themselves today to private ministries. We observe, lamentably, that these ministries often tend to unorthodox practices, causing scandal among the laity whom, supposedly, they must lead to the truth, thus bringing shame on the Church.
Moreover, many of the priests involved are too distracted from their primordial duty as shepherds of souls,” he added. The Prelates stressed that many of the priests involved in these movements are alienating themselves from their main duties as shepherds of souls.
“The only legitimate ministry is that of Jesus Christ, which has been entrusted and protected by the Holy Mother Church,” they emphasized. In their message, the Bishops underscored that charisms, far from being used for personal glorification, must be at the service of the edification of the Body of Christ.
Call to Obedience and Unity
Given this situation, the leaders of the Nigerian Church made a clear appeal to all those that wish to use their gifts for the Church, urging them to submit to the competent ecclesiastical authority and to respect the established rules and regulations. They reminded that no association or ministry can bear the name “Catholic” without the express permission of the corresponding ecclesial authority.
The Bishops also warned the faithful about individuals that, although they present themselves as Catholics, establish ministries that operate outside the pastoral or spiritual guide of the Church.
These practices, they say, undermine cohesion and Catholic Doctrine in Nigeria. Liturgical Concerns: Abuses, Deviations and Misuse of Social Networks Beyond the proliferation of private ministries, the Episcopal Conference expressed its unhappiness over abuses in liturgical celebrations in the country. Among the irregularities mentioned, the Bishops pointed out the excessive duration of Masses, the accumulation of monetary collections and the lack of silence and reverence during religious ceremonies.
In particular, the CBCN condemned the arbitrary alteration of the words and elements of the Sacraments, a practice that puts at risk the validity of the same, they reminded, referring to the note “Gestis Verbisque” of February 2024 and Canon 846.
These deviations have led to what they describe as the “theatricalization of the Eucharist,” where the Most Blessed Sacrament is treated as a mere object of magic or show during Adoration.
Safeguarding the Holiness of Worship
The Bishops also pointed out with concern the “inappropriate way of dressing” of some priests and lay people during liturgical celebrations, regarding these actions as a lack of respect for the holiness of the Rites and a cause of scandal. In response to these challenges, the Prelates reaffirmed their commitment to intensify vigilance to guarantee that liturgical celebrations are carried out in keeping the norms approved by the Church.
Moreover, they exhort priests, whom they consider their closest collaborators, to assume the responsibility to celebrate the liturgy with the greatest respect, and to avoid arbitrariness or personal interpretations of liturgical norms
In regard to the social networks, the President of the Nigerian Episcopate said: “The growing undue use of the social networks by priests is causing great shame to the Church. Although this technology, which advances swiftly, is still developing, the negative effects of their actions are inexcusable, especially if they come from priests who are educated and are leaders of the people.”
