Catholic Charismatic Renewal Members in Nigerian Archdiocese Cautioned against Championing “own ministry, church”

Abuja, 26 June, 2025 / 11:22 AM

Members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja have been cautioned against championing a personal ministry in what would be breaking away from the Catholic Church.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the 25th Anniversary of CCRN in Abuja Archdiocese, the CCRN Chaplain in the Nigerian Metropolitan See underscored the importance of remaining faithful to the Catholic Church and grounding charismatic spirituality in core practices like the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Rosary.

“The gifts that God gives are for the Church. You don't get your gift and start your own ministry or Church; it's for building the Church, for unity and order in the Church,” Fr. Anthony Ekezie said during the Tuesday, June 24 interview.

Fr. Ekezie criticized the reportedly growing trend, where some Charismatic members, after receiving spiritual empowerment, begin to act independent of Church authority. 

“You may have the gift of healing, the gift of tongues, or prophecy, but these gifts are not for show or personal elevation. They are to be used within the Church for the benefit of the community,” he said.

The Nigerian member of the Salesians of Saint Don Bosco (SDB) emphasized the importance of grounding Charismatic spirituality in Church Sacraments and a life of devotion in the Catholic Church, particularly the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Rosary.

“The Holy Eucharist is the centre of our faith; it's the apex of our faith. If you say you are a Catholic and you have no reverence and don't receive the Holy Eucharist, you are not fully a Catholic,” Fr. Ekezie said.

He commended CCRN members’ role in evangelization and spiritual growth, saying, “The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a beautiful and essential spiritual organ of the Church. They have contributed immensely to the life of this Parish through their prayer meetings, evangelization, and commitment.”

Fr. Ekezie urged CCRN members to continue being agents of transformation in the Church and society. He said, “Today, they have been commissioned to go and be salt of the earth and light of the world. We pray that they truly live out that mission in every area of their lives.”

Reflecting on the CCRN members’ challenges, Fr. Ekezie said, “There are battles here and there, challenges among them and the congregation, but we pray that God will continue to strengthen them and grant them peace, unity, and oneness.”

“May the blessings of the 25th anniversary be bestowed upon every one of them. Amen,” he implored.

In another interview with ACI Africa during the June 24 event, the Coordinator of CCRN in Abuja Archdiocese, Solomon Ezaka, expressed gratitude to God for the movement’s Silver Jubilee milestone and pledged a renewed focus on evangelization.

“As we look ahead to the next 25 years, our focus is to win more souls for Christ through effective evangelization; we are committed to ensuring that our members use their talent, treasure, and time to serve God and the Church wholeheartedly,” Mr. Ezaka said.

He described the Silver Jubilee as “not just a celebration but a call to action” and urged CCRN members to become “living witnesses of the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Mr. Ezaka also called on Catholics in Nigeria to support the CCRN’s mission, saying, “The work of renewal is not for a few. It is for every baptized Catholic who wants to see the Church grow.”