The Second Plenary Meeting of The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) concluded recently at the Diocesan Retreat and Youth Development Centre, Nto Ekpu, Ikot, Nko, Ikot Ekpene Diocese.

Their Eminences, Their Graces, and Their Lordships prayed and deliberated for nine days over the theme of “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria".  At the end, the conference issued a communique entitled ‘Hope Does Not Disappoint: Working Together for A Just Nation.’

The communique, just like the ones before it, is weighty in its topicality, forthright in its expressions, and unambiguous in its conclusions. It touched on issues affecting the Church, the nation, and the world. The communique addressed poor parenting and private ministries. It touched upon the recurring theme of corruption and on bad governance, on the energy sector, and on electoral reforms. Issues that require urgent attention for the good of the nation and for the good of the Church.

The communique pronounced on ‘Deviations from Liturgical Norms’,  citing examples. It states that ‘multiple collections and fund raising, are a direct affront to the sanctity of the sacred liturgy.’  It also bemoans ‘the practice of allowing politicians to use the sanctuary during liturgical worship.’

Multiple collections and fundraising during Mass deserves the attention accorded it by our Eminences, Graces, and Lordships. This issue has risen to the level of irritability in some instances. Until recently, Catholic liturgy was devoid of prolonged extra-curriculars, and the extended liturgy of Pentecostals was seen as  a ploy to accommodate multiple collections. We cannot descend to that level.

Offertory, a collection that we all embrace since we first knew the Body of Christ, is still prime. But it is now being rivalled by second collection, Church development collection, birthday collection, choir collection, laity collection, and sundry collections.

Most worshippers regard the final blessing as conclusion of Mass, also as a gift of faith that attendees take home as a mark of grace. That blessing is sometimes delayed to accommodate collections. This to the frustration of many worshippers.

It is irrefutable that current economic conditions impose severe financial burdens on the Church at various levels. The parish, our home Church, is faced with increased cost of electricity, increased pump price of petrol to power generators, increased cost of cleaning materials, increased cost of building maintenance, to name just a few. These increased costs must be met. The Church needs more money.

Government economic policies that drain the pockets of citizens to swell the coffers of government, add to the financial stress of families, by depleting resources and reducing disposable income.

Under these circumstances, the clergy, faced with the challenge of balancing the books, meeting obligations, and tending the vineyard of the Lord, resort to creative ways to making ends meet. The line between such creativity and ‘a direct affront to the sanctity of the sacred liturgy’ may become blurred if unchecked. Our Chief Shepherds who hold the office of teaching have been emphatic in drawing that line. Faithfully and repeatedly so. They deserve our appreciation and gratitude.

Yet, we still need the money.

My humble suggestions:

We can design new ways of fundraising that are not in conflict with liturgical norms. We can schedule most fundraisings outside liturgical celebrations.

We can engage other strategies of sensitizing large donors. Their dwindling number needs replenishing. Younger men and women seeking ways to support the Church can be encouraged to give and advised on how to give to the Church.

Church members can be encouraged to form investment cooperatives, with a portion of proceeds going to the Church.

We can look at enhanced communication involving clergy and laity, lay organizations in parish communities.  Inter-diocesan cooperation and exchange of ideas are areas also worth considering.

We are all called to raise the banner of Christ Jesus in all ways necessary.

 

 

 

Ayo Fasoro

Non Sum Dignus