Abuja, Nigeria — The Vatican’s representative to Nigeria has voiced serious concerns about what he describes as the increasing commercialization of the Eucharist among Catholic priests in the West African nation. Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, issued a strong call for renewed holiness among clergy and a return to the sacred roots of the priesthood.
Speaking during a recent pastoral workshop organized by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) for priests and religious formators, Archbishop Crotty emphasized that the Eucharist is not a commercial service, but the heart of the Catholic faith, and must be treated with reverence.
“The increasing commercialization of the liturgy, where sacramental celebrations, weddings, funerals, and Baptism are seen as opportunities for making money, is never to be tolerated in the Catholic Church,” Archbishop Crotty said.
The archbishop, who has served as the Holy See’s diplomatic envoy to Nigeria since 2020, warned that practices like charging exorbitant fees for sacraments, showy liturgies, and inappropriate use of religious vestments undermine the sanctity of worship and distort the role of the priest.
“The liturgy cannot be taken for granted,” he said. “Practices such as the use of liturgical vestments outside their proper context, prosperity preaching—these diminish the sacred character of our worship.”
The Apostolic Nuncio went further, expressing grave concern over what he called the “banalization” of liturgical worship—reducing holy rites to ordinary or casual practices.
“This is something that has to be avoided at all costs,” he warned.
At the center of his message was a call for priests to reclaim their spiritual identity through a life of personal holiness.
“The most important thing that any priest can do—the single most essential aspect of his identity—is to identify himself with Jesus Christ, the High Priest,” Archbishop Crotty explained. “And it is in the offering of the Eucharist where we are most closely conformed and part of the ministry of Jesus Christ himself.”
“We call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A priest should be holy, and anything that distracts from that needs to be avoided.”
He stressed that the formation of both priests and religious should be rooted in the pursuit of holiness, arguing that the sanctity of the priesthood has ripple effects on the entire Church.
“Where priests are holy, holiness flourishes around them,” he added.
In addition to concerns over liturgical practices, Archbishop Crotty addressed the ongoing threats to Church institutions across Nigeria. Referencing the July 10 attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Diocese of Auchi—where three seminarians were kidnapped and a security guard was killed—the Vatican envoy condemned the violence in strong terms.
“Like many Nigerians, I ask why this is happening. These seminarians are not businessmen, they have no money. They are not political actors, and it is of great concern to me and to the entire Church in Nigeria,” he said.
Describing the country’s insecurity as “complex” and marked by impunity, Archbishop Crotty questioned the targeting of Catholic institutions and called for a more effective government response.
“We are all aware of the violent criminality that seems to go unchecked. I share the concerns of the Church as to why Catholic institutions are being targeted,” he said.
He emphasized that the responsibility to maintain security and uphold justice lies primarily with state authorities.
“It is the primary responsibility of the forces to ensure law and order, to ensure that crime does not happen, and to ensure justice for the victims of crime,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, Archbishop Crotty urged Nigerian Catholics to respond first and foremost with prayer, not despair.
“We pray earnestly and join our hearts with the Diocese of Auchi as we pray for the safe release of those who have been taken, and also extending condolences to the family of the slain civil defense officer who was killed during the attack,” he said.
He concluded with a message of hope, rooted in the belief that divine justice will ultimately prevail.
“We live in a situation where things happen that should not happen; nevertheless, we must always trust in the power and sovereignty of God, that good always triumphs over evil.”
“I ask you to trust in the Lord and trust in His care and guidance. We must continue lifting our hearts in prayer, because God can do all things and He is willing and able to see us through all our difficulties.”
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