“Not a display of theological acrobatics”: Vatican-based Nigerian Cardinal Cautions Priests against Lengthy Homilies

He explained that the major points of the homily are best put in writing. 

He said that the language of a homily should be clear, “not an admixture of English and the local language, nor an exhibition of the preacher’s ability to navigate in idioms.”

“A poor homily is an offense against the Word of God and against God’s people gathered to hear his Word,” the Cardinal said.

In his address titled, “The Impact of Formations House on Education in Nigeria”, Cardinal reflected on the Priestly vocation and the role of seminaries in preparing future Priests.

He said, “It is expected that the seminary will train the future Priest to be a good pastor of God’s people.  He is the spiritual director of individual Catholics and of their associations such as the Legion of Mary, the Catholic Men’s Organization, the Catholic Women’s Organization, the Catholic Youth Organization, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Holy Childhood Pontifical  Missionary Association and other groups.”

“His patient attendance at their meetings, where he delivers well-prepared addresses, is one of the ways in which he serves them.  Lay leaders remain necessary according to the nature of each association.  But the Priest is their irreplaceable shepherd.  As a good shepherd, he is neither in front nor behind his people.  He is in their midst.  As Pope would put it, he has the smell of the sheep,” Cardinal Arinze explained.

He noted the alarming trend of young people drifting from the Catholic faith, turning instead to African Traditional Religion and other superstitions. 

“In many parts of our country Nigeria, there is a lamentation that many young people today are rather poor in their knowledge of the Catholic faith.  Many of them relapse into practices of the African Traditional Religion,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He added, “They may engage in real idol worship;  they believe in charms;  they consult fortune tellers and some go so far as to kill even a relative in the hope that that will attract big money. It is not a surprise if such young people keep away from the sacraments.”

Cardinal Arinze explained, “The problem is not solved by blaming the catechists for a job not well done. Some Nigerian dioceses have a remarkable increase in the number of their Priests.  Parishes are getting smaller in the area.  Suppose such a diocese adopts the policy that a Priest is to be the teacher of religion in every class in schools primary or secondary.  It is not below the dignity of the Priest to teach the young about God and religion.  Moreover, the teenagers need answers to life’s challenges.”

He said, “The seminary has also the role of preparing its levites to be good preachers. A Priest should be a convinced announcer of the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.”

“Now that many schools, primary and secondary, are under Church management, Priests have also to learn how to be good managers of schools and how to grow in this important apostolate,” the Cardinal said.

Among activities lined up for the 12-day centenary celebrations set to conclude on November 21 include the Seminary alumni get-together, entertainment sessions, symposiums, quiz competitions, cultural performances, music festivals, sports, blessing and opening of the new centenary hostel, centenary Eucharistic celebration and Ordination of Deacons, among others.

In his keynote address, Cardinal Arinze reflected on the challenge of inculturation in the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

The Cardinal pointed to ongoing efforts in the Church to respect local cultures, including the adoption of local names in baptism and hymns in indigenous languages. 

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However, he underscored the need for a more thorough and careful process of inculturation, involving Bishops, theologians, and cultural experts. 

“For an element of culture to be inculturated, the Bishops’ Conference of the area or country in question has first to set up a multidisciplinary study commission of experts in theology, liturgy, scriptural studies, ethnology, psychology and music.  Such a high-powered commission will have to sift the many sides of an indicated custom or tradition and, if it considers it ripe, make recommendations to the Bishops’ Conference,” he said.

Cardinal Arinze said, “Inculturation is very demanding on a local Church.  It is not a one-man affair.  It is not the fruit of someone’s over-fertile imagination which concocts an idea on Saturday evening and forces it down the throat of the innocent and unsuspecting Sunday Mass congregation the following morning.”

As Bigard Memorial Seminary enters its second century of formation, Cardinal Arinze expressed gratitude for its successes, while calling on future generations of Seminarians and Priests to continue the work of evangelization and faith integration. 

“Bigard Memorial Seminary has come a long way in one hundred years in preparing clergy for evangelization.  It has done a good job!  May the Lord of the harvest continue to bless and guide this respected Alma Mater of ours as it walks into its second century.  May the Most  Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, intercede for Bigard,” he implored.

Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu was founded in Onitsha in 1922 and officially opened in 1924. It was moved to its current location in 1951. It was named after benefactors Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, French mother and daughter, foundresses of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle, who donated the funds for the main building.

In 1982, St. Pope John Paul II visited Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, the first Nigerian Seminary to receive such a guest.