Newly Ordained Salesian Priests in Nigeria Cautioned against “clericalism, commercialism, pride”

Abuja, 21 July, 2025 / 9:02 PM

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Abuja has cautioned nine members of the Salesians of Don Bosco whom he ordained Priests, against the dangers of clericalism, commercialism, and the growing influence of the prosperity gospel within Priestly ministry in Nigeria.

In his homily during the July 19 ordination, Archbishop Kaigama cautioned the nine against adopting styles of ministry rooted in personal glory, excessive financial pursuits, and authoritarian leadership.

“These nine young men are not being ordained because they are perfect or academically outstanding. They are being ordained because God has called them. But with that call comes a great responsibility — one that must be approached with humility and faithfulness, not commercialism or pride,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said during the event that was held at the Archangels Gaduwa Parish of Abuja Archdiocese.

He reflected on the prosperity gospel, an ideology he said had found growing traction among some Clergy and Christian movements in Nigeria, saying, “I say this very clearly. Prosperity gospel has no place in the Catholic Priesthood. Their (Priests) primary task is not to make money or attract followers by promising miracles. Their mission is the salvation of souls.”

The Nigerian Catholic Church leader noted that although the Church requires resources to run its ministries, the motivation behind Priestly work must never be financial gain.

“Yes, the Church needs money. This building we are in did not rise from the ground by prayer alone. But if Priests do their work with sincerity and humility, the faithful will support them. They don’t need gimmicks. You don’t need theatrics. Don’t become spiritual businessmen,” he explained.

The Nigerian Archbishop urged the new Priests to remain rooted in authentic Catholic theology and the sacramental life of the Church, reminding them that their ordination was a “commissioning to serve, not a license to exploit.”

Archbishop Kaigama also addressed clericalism which he described as an “unhealthy sense of superiority or authoritarianism among Clergy.”

“Clericalism is a disease in the Church. It occurs when Priests begin to see themselves as above the people, as rulers rather than servants,” he cautioned and continued, “This is not the spirit of synodality which the Church is now embracing under the guidance of Pope Francis.”

Archbishop Kaigama underscored the need for Priests to walk in humility and consultation with their laity, rather than making unilateral decisions that alienate or disrespect Parishioners.

“A Priest should not run his Parish like a dictator. You don't dissolve the choir or sack the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) president from the pulpit because of a disagreement; you call meetings, you listen, you consult, you build consensus. That is the synodal Church Pope Francis called us to be,” he said.

Further warning against personality-driven ministry, Archbishop Kaigama decried the trend of Priests turning their pastoral roles into personal platforms for attention or control.

“The Priest must always decrease so that Christ may increase, borrowing from the words of St. John the Baptist. Priests’ preaching, their actions, their very presence must lead people to Jesus, not to their social media pages, not to their bank accounts, not to their personal fan bases,” he said.

According to the Archbishop, modern ministry must resist the urge to form "personality cults" or private empires where the Priest becomes the center of attraction rather than Christ Himself.

“Priests are not to exalt themselves or attract people to their charisma or brand. They are to lead the people of God to Christ,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He added, “As Priests, they must be ready to serve where the need is greatest, even in hardship. Some Priests want only lucrative postings. That’s not the path. They are not executives. They are Priests, servants in the hands of a mighty God.”

Archbishop Kaigama further reminded the Priests-elect that Priesthood is not a profession or social status, but a divine mission that demands humility, sacrifice, and total dependence on grace.

“I want our newly ordained Priests to remember always that they are not stepping into a career, but embracing a mission. Their ordination is not a promotion; it is a commissioning,” he said and added, “They are now bridge builders, ‘pontifex’ in Latin. They have become Jacob’s ladder, standing between heaven and earth, interceding for the people.”

He urged them to support one another, pray for their brother Priests, and avoid being judgmental.

“Do not judge your fellow Priests harshly when they struggle. They are battling too, with loneliness, with temptation, with the very flesh they promised to master, be kind to each other. Encourage one another. Pray for one another,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo spoke about the centrality of the Eucharist in Catholic life and ministry, urging the Priests-elect to never lose reverence for the mystery they will now be entrusted to celebrate.

“The Eucharist is the heart of our faith. It is the sacrifice of Christ, the real presence of His Body and Blood,” he said, adding, “Celebrate the Eucharist as though it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.”

Abah Anthony John contributed to this story.