Nigeria's episcopate is seriously afraid about the activities of "charismatic" environments. In the country, the number of “unrighteous services” that laymen and clergymen privately provide, allegedly equipped with peculiar gifts, is rapidly increasing. The activity of these groups causes scandal and storms the unity of the Church, believe the bishops of the African country. .
‘The thought of these privates services by any priests and laymen in our Church is of large concern" – the bishops wrote in their message, which was signed by the president of the Nigerian Episcopal Conference (CBCN) archbishop Lucius Iwaju Ugorji and her secretary Bishop Donatus A. Ogun. The Hierarchs pointed out that “many priests active in these activities are besides far removed from their basic work as pastoralists.” The clergy reminded that the only legal service was the 1 which Jesus Christ "trusted to the Holy parent of the Church to defender her," adding that charisms mean building the Body of Christ, not his own glory.
"As shepherds entrusted with vigilance over the pastoral life of the Church, we call on all those who want to exploit their charisms for the Church, not against it, to submit to competent authority, following the principles and regulations established in these matters by the Church and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria," the bishops stated in a statement. They besides called for vigilance toward “those who claim to be Catholics full services outside the pastoral or spiritual direction of any competent ecclesiastical authority."
The bishops of this West African country recalled that “no service, association or institution may be called Catholic without the explicit agreement of the applicable authorities.’ They besides stressed the up-to-dateness of their message of 15 August, in which they “with all determination” condemned abuse during the liturgy, calling on priests and bishops to take “immediate action” to reconstruct dignity and holiness of worship.
Speaking of liturgical deviations, the hierarchs listed “too long celebrities, excessive fundraisers, and deficiency of silence and good manners” during public services. citing the Canon 846 and the Dicastery of the Doctrine of religion "Gestis Verbisque" of 2 February 2024 on the validity of the sacraments, the Nigerian hierarchs expressed regret over "the unfortunate reception of any change in the words and components of the sacraments, which threatens to nullify the sacraments." They condemned the misuse of the Blessed Sacrament exhibited during adoration, when, they say, it is sometimes treated as a “magic or theatrical display tool”.
The Hierarchs besides criticised “the incorrect way of dressing up any priests and laymen” during liturgical celebrations, calling their outfit a “direct insult” to the sanctity of the liturgy and the origin of the scandal. "We bishops, who have the primary work for maintaining the appropriate binding of the holy liturgy, will increase our vigilance to guarantee that the liturgy is exercised in accordance with the approved standards of the Church," the members of the CBCN assured. They called on the priests as their “closest co-workers to feel liable for the exercise of the liturgy with the utmost seriousness, to avoid arbitraryity and not let themselves to be personally interpreted by established standards.”
KAI/work. FA
