Benin City, 04 May, 2025 / 8:05 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN) have emphasized the need to foster literacy in matters religion among the people of God in the West African country, where they say faith practice is “complex”.
In a communiqué following their 39th annual conference, which also coincided with the association’s 40th Anniversary, CATHAN members say, “The multifaceted and dynamic nature of Nigerian religiosity calls on our collective responsibility.”
“Critical religious literacy and doctrinal clarity, rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and Nigerian Christian wisdom, are essential to equip the faithful with a deep understanding of Nigeria's diverse religious landscape, given the challenges of syncretism, religious commodification, and fluid conversions,” CATHAN members say in the communiqué shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, April 29 following their conference at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre in Nigeria’s Benin City Catholic Archdiocese.
The theologians express concern over what they describe as “superficial faith and dual allegiances that undermine Christian discipleship,” and call for “a holistic evangelization engaging intellect, morality, and culture.”
“Of particular concern is the distortion of theology by the prosperity Gospel, which we counter with a Christian ethic of wealth based on justice, hard work, and communal well-being, demanding both personal conversion and systemic reform,” they say.
