Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria Slams Priests Monetizing Church Events
Apostolic Nuncio representative of the Holy Father in Nigeria has expressed concern about the growing “commercializing the Eucharist” trend among Catholic Priests in the West African country, warning that such practices compromise the sacred nature of the liturgy and the identity of the Priesthood.
In an interview with ACI Africa on Wednesday, July 16, on the sidelines of a workshop that the Department of Pastoral Agents of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) organized for Priests and religious formators, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty called on Catholic Priests to embrace holiness as the foundation of their vocation and to preserve the dignity of the Eucharist.
“The increasing commercialization of the liturgy, where sacramental celebrations, weddings, funerals, and Baptism are seen as opportunities for making money, is never to be tolerated in the Catholic Church,” Archbishop Crotty told ACI Africa.
The Apostolic Nuncio called on Catholic Priests to avoid excessive showmanship and carelessness during liturgical celebrations, emphasizing that the liturgy “cannot be taken for granted.”
He said practices such as the use of liturgical vestments outside their proper context, prosperity preaching, “diminish the sacred character of our worship.”
The Vatican diplomat further said his greater concern was the “banalization” of the liturgy—a process in which sacred practices are made ordinary or common. “This is something that has to be avoided at all costs,” the Apostolic Nuncio emphasized.
Archbishop Crotty noted that holiness should be the hallmark of every Priest, especially in the celebration of Holy Mass.
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“The most important thing that any Priest can do—the single most essential aspect of his identity—is to identify himself with Jesus Christ, the High Priest. And it is in the offering of the Eucharist where we are most closely conformed and part of the ministry of Jesus Christ himself,” he said.
The Irish-born diplomat added, “We call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A Priest should be holy, and anything that distracts from that needs to be avoided.”
Archbishop Crotty said Priestly and religious formation must be rooted in the pursuit of holiness, saying, “Where Priests are holy, holiness flourishes around them.”
Also addressing recent acts of violence against the Church in Nigeria, the Apostolic Nuncio condemned the July 10 attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, where three Seminarians were kidnapped and a security officer killed.
He said, “Like many Nigerians, I ask why this is happening. These Seminarians are not businessmen, they have no money. They are not political actors, and it is of great concern to me and to the entire Church in Nigeria.”
He described insecurity in Nigeria as “complex,” marked by unchecked criminality and impunity.
“We are all aware of the violent criminality that seems to go unchecked. I share the concerns of the Church as to why Catholic institutions are being targeted,” he said.
Archbishop Crotty expressed solidarity with the Diocese of Auchi and called for accountability from the state.
“It is the primary responsibility of the forces to ensure law and order, to ensure that crime does not happen, and to ensure justice for the victims of crime,” the Vatican diplomat said.
Archbishop Crotty called for prayer as the Church’s foremost response to the crisis, saying, “We pray earnestly and join our hearts with the Diocese of Auchi as we pray for the safe release of those who have been taken, and also extending condolences to the family of the slain civil defense officer who was killed during the attack”.
“We live in a situation where things happen that should not happen; nevertheless, we must always trust in the power and sovereignty of God, that good always triumphs over evil,” he said.
He added, “I ask you to trust in the Lord and trust in His care and guidance. We must continue lifting our hearts in prayer, because God can do all things and he is willing and able to see us through all our difficulties.”
Content Credit | Dada Blessing
Image Credit | aciafrica.org
