Advertisement

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria Condemn Mockery of the Eucharist in Viral Video, Warn against Blasphemy

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have condemned a viral video depicting masquerades mimicking Catholic Priests and engaging in a parody of Eucharistic rituals. 

In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Saturday, January 18, CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji describes the act as a “blasphemous display” that he says undermines the sanctity of the Eucharist and Catholic worship. 

“Our attention has been drawn to video clips that went viral portraying masquerades putting on liturgical vestments, mimicking Bishops, Priests and Mass Servers on Eucharistic Procession, and daring to impart blessing with the Monstrance, which only ordained clerics are permitted to do,” Archbishop Ugorji says in the statement dated January 16.

He adds, “The Eucharist, in which Christ our divine Master is fully and entirely present, is at the heart of Catholic worship.”

“Catholics regard it as a very sacred and priceless divine gift to the Church. It is highly regrettable that faceless masquerades chose to make a mockery of the Eucharist by reducing it to an object of entertainment and public ridicule,” the CBCN President says.

Advertisement

He continues, “We take exception to those blasphemous displays that hurt the religious sensibilities of Catholics across the world, and condemn them in the strongest terms as disrespectful, provocative and unacceptable.”

“We warn all those who are behind such shameless and irresponsible jestings to desist from them or face the wrath of God,” Archbishop Ugorji says.

The statement reinforces the Church’s commitment to preserving the dignity of its practices and protecting its core beliefs from sacrilege.

In August 2024, CBCN members condemned in “strongest terms” abuses during Liturgical celebrations in the West African nation, urging Priests and Bishops to take “immediate action” to restore the dignity and sanctity of worship. 

They pointed out aberrations such as irreverent handling of the Eucharist; walking down the aisle while carrying the monstrance during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and blessing the people using gestures akin to sprinkling of Holy Water.

More in Africa

The Bishops also pointed out inappropriate music including the importation of secular ones into the liturgy as well as indecorous dance “even with the monstrance containing the Eucharist”.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.