Improving catechesis and adequately preparing candidates who will receive the sacraments in order to preserve Catholic identity is what the Archbishop of Abuja (Nigeria), Bishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, has requested.
In a pastoral message delivered at the conclusion of the 5th General Assembly of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Bishop Kaigama offered a summary of the assembly’s deliberations and noted that Catholic identity in the country is threatened, as some Catholics have opted for prayers and online Mass at the expense of physical participation.
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The event was themed “Deepening our Catholic identity and spirituality in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.” In his message, the Nigerian archbishop said that the deviation from Catholic identity had affected the commitment to morality, thereby undermining the Church’s teachings on ethics.
Archbishop Kaigama also referred to the social acceptance of practices that are opposed to Catholic teachings, such as cohabitation, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, homosexuality, single parenthood by choice and gender ideology, and that threaten the identity and Catholic spirituality.
Liturgical abuses and the growth of private ministries led by Catholic priests and lay faithful, according to Archbishop Kaigama, are also threats to Catholic identity.
In that sense, he expressed his concern that these events end up diluting the essence of Catholic worship and weakening community life, which is why he pointed out that it is essential to adequately transmit the faith to future generations.
Bishop Kaigama outlined several resolutions aimed at preserving Catholic identity in the archdiocese and in the country: “We encourage parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies to improve catechesis.”
However, he recalled that adequate catechesis “must be complemented on the internal front by parents and guardians.”
Likewise, he noted that “adequate time must be dedicated to preparing the candidates for the reception of the sacraments.”
The Nigerian archbishop also encouraged catechetical training for all Catholic faithful and condemned practices that are “alien to our Catholic identity and spirituality, especially during our Catholic liturgy.”
For the instruction of the catechism, the archbishop recommended using, in addition to the Bible, Catholic documents such as the catechism, the Code of Canon Law and the teachings of the magisterium.
In that sense, he clarified that the expression of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit must align with Catholic guidelines.
In his statement after the event, Archbishop Kaigama also urged Catholics who are in positions of authority and influence to promote Christian values and attend Church programs.
Furthermore, he discouraged those practices that promote paganism under the guise of inculturation and called for greater inclusion of people with special abilities in the activities of the Church.
The Nigerian archbishop also encouraged Catholics to express their faith publicly by making the sign of the cross, praying the Angelus and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, participating in devotions and inviting others, including family and friends, to join them in mass and other celebrations.
Likewise, he urged Catholics who have a presence in the entertainment industry to create value-based content to help the moral growth of the population, and encouraged the faithful in general to defend their faith against attacks on Catholic identity and spirituality. .
In the three-page declaration that he signed together with the archdiocesan chancellor, Fr. Sam Tumba, Archbishop Kaigama called on the Nigerian government to prioritize policies that solve the country’s living conditions, as their worsening conditions have plunged many Nigerians into poverty. , thus widening the gap between rich and poor.
He indicated that the growing gap between rich and poor in the West African nation is worrying, since “people are dying of hunger in the midst of plenty.”
“The essence of any government in power is the commitment to gradually and steadily improve the standard of living,” he said, adding: “We call on government at all levels to implement policies and programs that will alleviate the scourge poverty, hunger, insecurity, unemployment and the like.”
The archbishop urged the government to also address other critical issues such as insecurity, terrorism, economic instability, poor infrastructure, deficiencies in healthcare and unemployment. “These must be addressed at a reasonable level to demonstrate accountability and responsibility,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigama acknowledged the government’s efforts to address national challenges, but noted that many of these measures have resulted in serious hardship for citizens. “Our pain is great,” he said, adding that the current situation raises fears for the safety of the faithful and all Nigerians.
On the role of the Catholic Church, the archbishop emphasized its prophetic mission to denounce social ills, while urging the government to act decisively to close the gap between the rich and the marginalized.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in ICA Africa.
Silas Isenjia
Silas Mwale Isenjia has a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. He has extensive experience in the media production industry. He is a journalist for ACI Africa.