The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed deep concern over what it described as an “alarming increase” in liturgical abuses across the country.

In a strongly-worded statement, the Bishops condemned the deviations from established rites and traditions, warning that such actions are a “direct affront to the sanctity of the liturgy” and a “source of scandal and embarrassment to the Church”.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any and all abuses within the sacred liturgy. Such actions are not merely errors in judgment; they are violations of the sacred order and must be treated as such.”

The Bishops warned priests against different manners of abuses, including unauthorized changes to prayers and rubrics, irreverent handling of the Eucharist, inappropriate music, indecorous dance, commercialization of the liturgy, and incorporation of local customs inconsistent with the faith.

“The liturgy is not a private playground for personal innovation. It is not a platform for the self-expression of the celebrant. It is a sacred trust, handed down by the Church, which must be celebrated according to the established norms and traditions.

“We remind our priests that the altar is not a stage for theatrics, nor is the liturgy a venue for novelty. The Church has given us clear directives on how the liturgy is to be celebrated, and these must be followed without exception. Fidelity to the laws of the Church is not optional—it is mandatory.”

The statement, addressed to ‘all Catholic priests in Nigeria’, was signed by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, CBCN President, Bishop Donatus Ogun, OSA, CBCN Secretary, and Bishop Augustine Echema, CBCN Chairman for Liturgy Committee.

They charged Diocesan Directors of Liturgy and Deans to collaborate with their Bishops in taking immediate and decisive action to correct these abuses among priests in their Dioceses.

They also urged priests to uphold the sanctity of liturgical worship, warning that abuses and deviations from prescribed forms are unacceptable and a grave disservice to the faithful and the Church.

The statement concluded with a call for renewal of commitment to proper and faithful celebration of the Liturgy, which demands utmost solemnity and reverence, being a foretaste of the heavenly banquet and a sacred encounter with the divine.