The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has asked priests not to be led into believing in the God of now now, and to avoid “market place prophecies and visions, charismatic display of talents and material salvation”
The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, who spoke today in Abuja during the Catholic Bishops Conference at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral asked 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, saying: “We must not be frightened into believing in God of ‘now, now.’
“We should emphasize 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 called on the Christian religious leaders to admonish Christians to pray ceaselessly and evangelize through genuine witnessing and not wooing people with material things or any form of moral coercion.
“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 internalized 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.” [myad]
