The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria has warned its priests against
“market place prophecies and visions, charismatic display of talents and material salvation”.
The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, gave the
warning on Sunday in Abuja during the Catholic Bishop’s Conference at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral. Kaigama admonished the priests to
shun worldliness and materialism. He charged them not to succumb to
the temptation of importing unwanted doctrines that would promote personality and curry favour.
He said: “We must not be frightened into believing in God of ‘now, now’,
cajoled by mouth watering material attractions or ostentatious living of
some ministers of God.
“We should emphasise the need for sober Christianity without tricks, rhetoric, fanfare and the craze for
social media publicity.
“All priests must not compete with trendy pastors to see visions and utter prophecies because they sometimes
cause psychological disposition. “We should help people to interior conversion and attitudinal change.”
Kaigama urged Christian religious leaders to admonish Christians to pray ceaselessly and evangelise through genuine witnessing and not wooing people with material things or any form
of moral coercion. He said: “We must avoid melo dramatic displays that look like modern broad-way shows.
“Catholic priests should avoid
flamboyant spirituality and noisy liturgy and teach the people values of internalised prayers from the heart.
“The gifts of speaking in tongues, miracle and prophecies are good as
long as they are genuine.”
Kaigama further urged Christians to help humanity in love to conquer poverty and narrow the yawning gap
between the rich and the poor.
“It is only when we engage in works of mercy in favour of the needy that we can hope for a stable, peaceful and
safe world,” he said.
