Some African communities, particularly in Cameroon, have accused the Church of disrespecting their cultures under the guise of inculturation (adapting Christianity to local customs). This has sparked a debate on balancing cultural respect with the integrity of the Catholic faith.

The Wimbum people from Cameroon's North West region recently petitioned the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. They claim that the Catholic Church is desecrating their culture by incorporating elements from their secret societies into religious processions and using secret masquerades in church ceremonies.

The petition strongly condemned these actions, stating "Our traditions are not mere rituals; they are the lifeblood of our identity, connecting us to our ancestors and shaping our existence".

Similar concerns have been raised by the Nso people in the Kumbo Diocese and Cameroon's North West region. These communities argue that the Church's efforts at inculturation are eroding their cultural heritage.

Contrastingly, in Nigeria, Catholic bishops are concerned that some priests are misusing inculturation by incorporating local customs. Some suggest that they are inconsistent with Catholic doctrine.

Father Stan Chu Ilo, a research professor of Ecclesiology and African Studies, criticised certain priests for creating a "shocking liturgical hybridity" that confuses the faithful and undermines the Church's teachings.

Ilo argued that these practices are not rooted in African religious traditions. He suggested they are instead misguided attempts to blend Christianity with local customs.

Make Gospel more accessible

The concept of inculturation, which gained prominence during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), aims to integrate authentic cultural values into Christianity to make the Gospel more accessible.

However, the process requires a deep understanding of both the Gospel and local cultures.

Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy, a Catholic observer in Cameroon, emphasised that inculturation is a "dynamic relationship between the local church and the culture of its people" requiring careful dialogue and study.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja acknowledged the challenges of inculturation, noting that many African communities have spiritual underpinnings that can enrich the Christian faith. However, he cautioned that some conflicts arise from a "colonial mindset" that views African traditions as incompatible with Christianity.

Mbuy and Ilo called for better education and the formation of Catholic priests to ensure that inculturation is undertaken correctly. Mbuy stressed that true inculturation requires collaboration between theologians and cultural experts to ensure that adaptations are appropriate and respectful of both faith and tradition.

Sources

Crux Now

Nigeria's Catholic population is estimated to be 25 million, making up 10-15% of the country's 220 million people.

The country's population is expected to soar to 350-400 million in the next 20 years. The Catholic community will expand significantly along with it.

With burgeoning congregations and vocations, Nigerian Catholics believe their fervour could inspire global Catholicism.

Mass attendance at St Louis Church in Jos, Plateau State, is full to overflowing.

"Here it's like this: people are very religious, so you have to come early" explains Akeelah Jr Framinchi, a young local.

The liturgy at St Louis Church blends African traditions with Catholic rituals, creating a unique worship experience.

Broader African trend

The growth of the Catholic Church in Nigeria mirrors a broader trend across Africa, the continent with the highest number of Catholics worldwide.

Emmanuel Duru Ifeangi, a parishioner of St Louis, emphasises the enthusiasm of Nigerian Catholics.

He believes that the "zeal" of Nigerian Catholics can "inspire the whole world".

A local nun echoed this sentiment - "Even Pope Francis says that Africa is the future of the church!"

"We do not let them drift away from faith as they grow up" Ifeangi replied with pride.

"Whether through theatre clubs, youth nights or various workshops, our programmes accompany them up to questions about vocation."

Vocations boom

The rise in vocations is evident at St Augustine's Major Seminary where 354 seminarians are preparing for ordination.

Father Joseph Gotus, the vice-rector, points out that this seminary alone produces more priests than some entire Western countries. This surge in vocations underscores Nigeria's growing influence within the Catholic Church.

Seminarian Emmanuel Echo reflected - "Faith came to us from the West and is spreading rapidly here, while it fades in Europe and America. It is our mission to be sent there to revive it."

"The Vatican likes Nigeria because we are more Roman than the Romans" said another priest.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja underscores Nigeria's potential but cautions against premature expectations of significant global leadership roles.

"We are still too young as Christians to assume significant responsibility. We have the vigour of youth but not the ecclesial wisdom and culture."

Sources

La Croix International

CathNews New Zealand

The discussion, organised by the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture, delved into topics surrounding gender theory's perceived threat to Christian values and family structures.

Notable figures in attendance included Cardinals Virgilio Do Carmo da Silva (Timor-Leste), Oswald Gracias (India), William Goh (Singapore) and Patrick D'Rozario (Bangladesh).

Among the European cardinals were Willem Eijk (Netherlands), Angelo Bagnasco (Italy) and Dominik Duka (Czech Republic). Also joining them were several African and American prelates including Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (San Francisco, USA).

Despite attempts to keep discussion of gender ideology under wraps, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja (Nigeria) inadvertently revealed details on his Facebook page.

The programme, not publicly disclosed by the Austin Institute, included talks by prominent figures such as Robert Gahl, a priest of Opus Dei and Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht who cautioned against the implications of gender theory on family and faith.

The Austin Institute's president, Mark Regnerus, confirmed its role in organising and sponsoring the event, describing it as an "intellectual retreat".

However, details regarding funding sources and participant selection remained undisclosed.

Same-sex blessings controversy

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Italian magazine Credere, Pope Francis addressed the controversy surrounding blessings for same-sex couples. Emphasising the importance of respecting all individuals, the pontiff clarified "I don't bless a ‘homosexual marriage,' I bless two people who love each other."

His remarks shed light on the pastoral approach outlined in the document "Fiducia Supplicans," permitting informal blessings for gay couples without endorsing their union.

Despite criticism and societal expectations, Pope Francis reaffirmed his commitment to extending blessings to all, regardless of their circumstances.

Sources

La Croix International

America Magazine

CathNews New Zealand

Africans "have come of age", said Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, who is president of the Nigerian bishops' conference.

"We should be allowed to think for ourselves," he said, noting that many African countries have been independent from former colonial powers for many decades.

"We are wooed by economic things," said Archbishop Kaigama, who heads Nigeria's Jos archdiocese.

"We are told if you limit your population, we're going to give you so much. And we tell them, 'Who tells you that our population is overgrown?' "

The archbishop said Nigeria recently" had a big conference on pro-life issues, and in that conference, we came out very clearly to ascertain the fact that life is sacred, marriage is sacred, and the family has dignity".

"We get international organisations, countries, and groups which like to entice us to deviate from our cultural practices, traditions, and even our religious beliefs.

"And this is because of their belief that their views should be our views. Their opinions and their concept of life should be ours," he said.

"Now you come to tell us about reproductive rights, and you give us condoms and artificial contraceptives.

"Those are not the things we want. We want food, we want education, we want good roads, regular light, and so on. Good health care."

Archbishop Kaigama said poverty is not necessarily about money.

"One can be poor in spirituality, poor in ideas, poor in education, and in many other ways. We may be poor materially, but we are not poor in every sense.

"So we say no to what we think is wrong. And [the] time has gone when we would just follow without question.

"Now, we question. We evaluate. We decide. We ask questions. This is what we do in Africa now," he concluded.

Archbishop Kaigama later told reporters that the prelates are not looking to change specific Church doctrines.

"What we are trying to examine is the pastoral approach that could be done differently," he continued.

In an interview with LifeSiteNews before the synod, Archbishop Kaigama said that if the proper understanding of marriage and family is taken away, then society will collapse.

"Our African values are God-given, and, where they do not contradict the Gospel values, we uphold them - that is the essence of inculturation," he said.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter (Archbishop Kaigama's speech)
• National Catholic Reporter
• LifeSiteNews
• Image: Contra Culture

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama wrote about "seeing children, women and men bombed out of existence". The October 28 bomb, the latest in a series of attacks on Catholic churches, killed eight people and injured 134, 75 of them critically.

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