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

"We have witnessed an explosion of new religious communities. Some with little or nothing in terms of spirituality and charism of consecrated life" Father Anthony Akinwale said.

Fr Akinwale (pictured) is Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Augustine University Ilara-Epe in Nigeria's Lagos State.

Speaking at the 2024 Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr Akinwale expressed grave concerns about the future of the Church.

According to Fr Akinwale, the proliferation of new religious orders in Nigeria poses a significant threat to the credibility of Catholicism in the country.

"Some of these ministries and ministers pretend to be Catholic … They even display statues of our Blessed on their websites or expose the Blessed Sacrament in a way that points to sacrilege" he said.

Furthermore, Father Akinwale accused leaders of these religious orders of perpetrating "fake prophecies and arranged miracles" to exploit a vulnerable populace.

The priest expressed concern that such practices push disillusioned believers towards alternative faiths.

"The populism of these ministries, the advertisement of un-authenticated miracles and prophecies, the opium these ministries administer on our people erode the credibility of Christianity, of Catholicism in particular, in our country," he said.

Pentecostalism encroaching

Pentecostalism in Nigeria is "a greater concern than the blessing of same-sex couples" Fr Akinwale said.

Referring to the controversy around Fiducia Supplicans, he suggested the same-sex blessing issue was a distraction from the deeper issues affecting the Church.

Fr Akinwale also warned that the encroachment of Pentecostal practices within the Catholic Church is diluting its identity and undermining its traditional teachings.

He predicted that an emerging critically minded population would repudiate Catholicism because "it is unable to see the difference between the Pentecostal pastor and a Catholic priest."

While Father Akinwale's remarks underscore the pressing issues facing the Catholic Church in Nigeria, not all share his concerns.

Father Stan Chu Ilo of DePaul University believes that dialogue and mutual learning between Pentecostalism and Catholicism can be beneficial for both traditions.

Fr Chu advocates for a broader perspective that acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses of each religious movement.

"Pentecostalism and Catholic Charismatic is a good thing for the Catholic Church and the churches of Africa" Fr Chu stated

"We can do better"

In response to the challenges outlined, Fr Akinwale proposed a reevaluation of seminary formation. He encouraged a deeper engagement with lay faithful and consecrated individuals within the Church.

He stressed the importance of upholding the Church's apostolic traditions while addressing contemporary realities.

"We are doing well. But we can do better" Akinwale said.

And doing better, the priest explained, means that the Church in Nigeria "must have the courage of martyrs of old in receiving, preserving and transmitting the Gospel that comes to us from the apostles."

Sources

CruxNow

BNN Breaking

CathNews New Zealand