By Wesley Omondi
ABUJA, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 (CISA) – Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has emphasized the importance of reverence for sacred spaces and the need for inner spiritual transformation.
In his homily on September 1, 2024, during the dedication of St. Michael’s Police Chaplaincy in Maitama, Abuja. Archbishop Kaigama urged the congregation to treat the newly consecrated Church with the respect it deserves and to prioritize inner purity over external rituals.
“When a church is dedicated, it is consecrated to God, becoming a holy place where heaven touches earth. It therefore means you have to be mindful of the kind of activities done here,” Archbishop Kaigama stated.
Reflecting on a recent incident at the Police Chaplaincy in Nyanya, Abuja, where criminals stole a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, Archbishop Kaigama expressed his deep sorrow at the emerging trend of abuse of sacred places of worship. He also called for heightened vigilance and adherence to guidelines during Eucharistic adoration.
“We felt very bad. Prayers and Masses of atonement have been offered, and by the grace of God, the monstrance has been recovered even though badly damaged. The criminals have also been apprehended,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigama also referenced a communiqué issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting in Auchi Diocese, Edo State. The communiqué highlighted the need to safeguard the sanctity of the liturgy, addressing concerns over liturgical abuses such as excessively long Eucharistic celebrations, excessive monetary collections, and the lack of decorum during worship.
“We must always bear in mind that the liturgy is received and not invented. It must therefore be safeguarded with the utmost reverence and fidelity,” Archbishop Kaigama quoted from the CBCN communiqué.
The communiqué further addressed national issues, including economic policies, corruption, and the dehumanizing poverty experienced by many Nigerians. The bishops criticized the government for viewing church schools and hospitals as private ventures rather than not-for-profit facilities serving the public, calling for financial subsidies for all children, as mandated by the Child’s Rights Act.
“The Bishops also observed that our church schools and hospitals are seen by the government as private ventures instead of not-for-profit facilities that render public services to all,” Archbishop Kaigama shared.
In his homily, Archbishop Kaigama stressed the importance of inner purity over external rituals, drawing from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their focus on outward cleanliness while neglecting the state of their hearts. He urged the congregation to prioritize inner transformation and a change of heart.
“As Christians, we must not let peripheral matters take centre stage. It is better to have dirty hands and clean heart than to have dirty heart and clean hands,” he emphasized.
The archbishop concluded by congratulating the community on their achievements, including the confirmation of 352 candidates, the matrimony of six couples, and the dedication of their new Church. He encouraged them to continue living out their faith through genuine love and righteousness.
