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Liturgical abuses have remained a canker worm in the Church all over the world especially in our African continent. In this edition of our online News the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have taken a lead in Condemning Liturgical Abuses in the Church in their country and they have vehemently called for Immediate Reforms.

The official Correspondent of this online journal based in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria has reported that members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have condemned in “strongest terms” abuses during Liturgical celebrations in the West African nation, urging Priests and Bishops to take “immediate action” to restore the dignity and sanctity of worship.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, CBCN members express concern about a rising trend of deviations from established liturgical norms, warning that such practices are a direct affront to the sacredness of the liturgy and a source of scandal within the Church.

“It is with deep concern and righteous indignation that we observe an alarming increase in aberrations during worship across our nation, perpetrated by some of our own Priests,” Catholic Bishops in Nigeria say.

They add, “These abuses include deviations from the prescribed prayers and rubrics of the Mass, including the Eucharistic Prayer; irreverent handling of the Eucharist; walking down the aisle while carrying the monstrance during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and blessing the people using gestures akin to sprinkling of Holy Water.”

The Bishops also point out inappropriate music including the importation of secular ones into the liturgy as well as indecorous dance “even with the monstrance containing the Eucharist”.

The also condemn what they describe as commercialization of the liturgy in form of “taking up too many collections and fundraising right in the middle of liturgical celebrations”

Other “abuses” that the CBCN members condemn are use of the pulpit to pursue personal interests, incorporation of local customs that are inconsistent with the faith under the umbrella of inculturation, failure to use proper vestments, lack of adequate preparation for every aspect of the liturgical celebration, as well as the invention of rites, such as Child Dedication “with some Priests placing the child on the altar, when, in the teaching of the Church, a child is dedicated to God during baptism; blessing of items not approved by the Church as sacramentals; and many others.”

“These grave violations are not only a direct affront to the sanctity of the liturgy but also a source of scandal and embarrassment to the Church in Nigeria. We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any and all abuses within the sacred liturgy,” CBCN members say.

“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,” they say.

The Catholic Bishops note that “any Priest who takes it upon himself to deviate from these norms is guilty of a serious betrayal of his sacred duty and is leading the faithful astray.”

“Such actions are not merely errors in judgment; they are violations of the sacred order and must be treated as such. We remind our Priests that the altar is not a stage for theatrics, nor is the liturgy a venue for novelty,” the Catholic Church leaders say in their statement signed by CBCN President,  Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.

They further emphasize, “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 faithful deserve nothing less than the true and reverent celebration of the mysteries of our faith.”

Addressing the Bishops, who are the “chief liturgists of their Dioceses”, CBCN members urge them to “take immediate and decisive action to correct these abuses.”

“The faithful look to you for leadership, and it is your sacred duty to ensure that the liturgy in your Diocese is conducted with the dignity and reverence it demands,” Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops say.

They say it is “imperative” that Bishops “work together to ensure that Priests within their jurisdictions adhere strictly to the directives of the Church. This collaborative effort is essential in maintaining the unity and sanctity of our liturgical worship.”

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To Priests, CBCN members remind them of the “most sacred responsibility of celebrating the mysteries of our faith.”

“This is not a responsibility to be taken lightly, nor is it one that allows for personal interpretation. This can only be achieved when the liturgy is celebrated with the decorum, reverence, and fidelity that it demands. Abuses and deviations from the prescribed form are not only unacceptable but are a grave disservice to the faithful and to the Church,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They call for a renewed commitment to the proper and faithful celebration of the liturgy, urging all involved to ensure that liturgical celebrations reflect the beauty, order, and sanctity intended by the Church.

“The liturgy is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a sacred encounter with the divine, and must always be conducted with the utmost solemnity and reverence. Any actions that diminish this sacred encounter are to be condemned and corrected with the seriousness they deserve,” CBCN members say.

They extend their “heartfelt gratitude to all the Priests who, in their celebration of the liturgy, remain faithful to the teachings and traditions of the Church.”

“Your commitment to reverence, decorum, and fidelity upholds the sanctity of our worship and serves as a shining example to all,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They implore, “May our liturgical celebrations always reflect the beauty, order, and sanctity that they are meant to convey, leading the faithful closer to the mystery of Christ; and may our Lady, assumed into heaven, intercede for us that we may be faithful to the teachings of her Son and of the Church.”

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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