The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed deep concern over what it described as an “alarming increase” in liturgical abuses across the country. In a strongly-worded statement, the Bishops condemned the deviations from established rites and traditions, warning that such actions are a “direct affront to the sanctity of the liturgy” and a “source of scandal and embarrassment to the Church”. “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any and all abuses within the sacred liturgy. Such actions are not merely errors in judgement; they are violations of the sacred order and must be treated as such.”

The Bishops warned priests against different manners of abuses, including unauthorised changes to prayers and rubrics, irreverent handling of the Eucharist, inappropriate music, indecorous dance, commercialisation of the liturgy, and incorporation of local customs inconsistent with the faith. “The liturgy is not a private playground for personal innovation. It is not a platform for the self-expression of the celebrant. It is a sacred trust, handed down by the Church, which must be celebrated according to the established norms and traditions. “

We remind our priests that the altar is not a stage for theatrics, nor is the liturgy a venue for novelty. The Church has given us clear directives on how the liturgy is to be celebrated, and these must be followed without exception. Fidelity to the laws of the Church is not optional—it is mandatory.” The statement, addressed to ‘all Catholic priests in Nigeria’, was signed by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, CBCN President; Bishop Donatus Ogun, OSA, CBCN Secretary; and Bishop Augustine Echema, CBCN Chairman for Liturgy Committee.

They charged diocesan Directors of Liturgy and Deans to collaborate with their Bishops in taking immediate and decisive action to correct these abuses among priests in their Diocese. They also urged priests to uphold the sanctity of liturgical worship, warning that abuses and deviations from prescribed forms are unacceptable and a grave disservice to the faithful and the Church. The statement concluded with a call for renewal of commitment to proper and faithful celebration of the Liturgy, which demands utmost solemnity and reverence, being a foretaste of the heavenly banquet and a sacred encounter with the divine.

… Celebrate 2024 2nd Plenary Opening Mass today

• 21-Year Auchi Diocese makes history hosting episcopal assembly

By Neta Nwosu

The Catholic Bishops across the respective Archdiocese and Dioceses have since August 22 converged on Auchi, Edo State for the 2024 second plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The on-going Episcopal Assembly after days of introductory interactions will officially commence today with an Opening Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Auchi, followed immediately by the general Opening Ceremonies at Uyi Grands Hall in same town. Although the CBCN plenary commenced in 1958, this is the first time Auchi Diocese will host the Conference in its 21-year of existence. An episcopal conference, often also called a bishops’ conference or conference of bishops, is an official assembly of the bishops of the Catholic Church in a given territory.

The plenary session of the Conference holds twice a year, usually in the first week of Lent and the second week of September. The Plenary session is for prayers, study and deliberations on important issues regarding the evangelising mission of the Church in Nigeria, the pastoral care of the faithful, and the promotion of human dignity, human rights, truth, justice, reconciliation, peace and wholesome development in the wider society. CBCN 2024 first Plenary was held from 16 to 22 February, 2024 at a time Nigerians were grappling with hardship that emerged from economic policies and reforms put in place by President Bola Tinubu since he assumed office on May 29, 2023. The Catholic Bishops spoke to the issue as usual.

The prelates held government responsible for exacerbating hardship. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria said that the current administration’s reform agenda increased the hardship being faced by citizens. Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, President of the CBCN made this assertion during his welcome speech on Sunday at the commencement of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN, held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Resource Centre in Durumi, Abuja. He noted that inflation had rendered it challenging for the typical Nigerian to afford essential commodities, such as food items and medication.

“The reform agenda of the present government has added to the plight of Nigerians. With the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, there has been a sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products and a steep decline in the value of the naira. Indeed, there is a free fall of the national currency. “As a result of the government’s reform agenda, millions of Nigerians have been reduced to a life of grinding poverty, wanton suffering, and untold hardship as never before in our national history. “In a bid to survive, an increasing number of the poor have resorted to begging. With more than 80 million Nigerians living under the poverty line of less than two dollars a day, our country, according to the recent disclosure of the World Bank, is the world’s second-largest poor population after India. “

While many impoverished Nigerians continue to suffer and die as a result of the hardship caused by the government’s economic reforms, the president has continued to urge the populace to make even more and more sacrifices with the assurance that brighter days lay ahead,” he said. The CBCN President said that as the government demanded additional sacrifice from the struggling masses, Nigerians were expecting to see a drastic cut in the cost of running the government at all levels. On insecurity, the bishop said despite the money appropriated monthly as security votes, communities continued to experience persistent insecurity. This occurred as far back as February 19, 2024.

Three weeks prior to its on-going second plenary, Nigerians demonstrated their apparent fury across the country to protest against the prevailing economic hardship plaguing them under the current Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu. The country has continued to struggle with issues such as economic hardship, high inflation rates, unemployment, corruption, political instability, security concerns and infrastructural deficits. These challenges have significantly impacted the lives of Nigerians, making it difficult for many to access basic necessities like food, shelter, and health care. In a press release signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee; Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, expressed the Diocese’s readiness to host the significant event and extended an invitation to all sons and daughters of the land to partake in the celebration.

“We invite all Catholic faithful, both at home and abroad, as well as friends and well-wishers, to join us in this momentous occasion.” The body of the Catholic hierarchy holds its plenary meetings biannually to discuss important issues related to faith and society. The outcomes of these meetings are subsequently communicated through official Communiqués to the Catholic community and the general public. What would CBCN say this time around? Watch out next week.

… Did not ban Phone, Social Media use during Mass

By Fr. Michael Umoh

A recent news piece and video clips circulating on social media claim that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has banned the use of mobile phones and Social Media during Mass. This is incorrect and a sad example of a misleading reportage. The news texts misinterpreted a CBCN circular dated August 15, 2024, which addressed priests on “Abuses During Liturgical Celebrations” and emphasised proper liturgical practices. The circular did not ban phone or social media use when utilised appropriately for evangelisation, such as live streaming Mass or other liturgical celebrations.

In fact, the Church always encourages responsible media engagement, and in this age of digital media, the Holy Father Pope Francis has repeatedly called on pastoral agents especially, to be more dedicated in their engagement with the Social Media through full and positive presence. Similarly, the Prefect for the Vatican Dicastery on Social Communications, Paolo Ruffini, expressed that “as individuals and as an ecclesial community, we are to live in the digital world, ‘as loving neighbours’ who are genuinely present and attentive to each other on our common journey along the digital highways.”