Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has threatened to take unfriendly actions, which might include suspension for a period of time or outright expulsion from the priesthood, against Catholic priests who are involved in active partisan politics or the exercise of public office without the necessary authorisation.
CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, in a letter to all Catholic priests in Nigeria, noted that some priests are violating some sections of canonical laws particularly as regards partisan politics, asking that they desist from such actions or be visited with necessary punishments.
He said the deep political involvements of some priest has not only contravened the universal laws of the Church but has also scandalised a vast majority of Christ’s faithful in the country.
“In light of this troubling trend, the CBCN, with deep pastoral concern and having sought clarification from the Dicastery for Evangelisation and the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, underscored the progressive penal measures applicable in cases of transgression of the canonical norms,” he said.
The CBCN President directed that a cleric who is culpable of violating the prohibitions established by the relevant canonical laws, notwithstanding the appeals and two canonical warmings of his proper Ordinary, and who has given no sign of reform, must be suspended from every exercise of the power of orders and of governance for an appropriate period, and could also be punished with canonical sanctions, such as having to reside in a particular place or territory.
He added: “If the cleric persists, he also incurs the delict of disobedience to ecclesiastical authority. In this case, the proper Ordinary, considering that this is disobedience in a grave matter about the specific ecclesial context, can ask the Dicastery for Evangelisation to apply the penalty of dismissal in poenam of the cleric from the clerical state by virtue of the faculties granted by the Holy Father.
“It is also important to note that the prohibitions established in some sections of the canonical laws apply equally to religious. Therefore, Major Superiors of Religious Institutes in Nigeria are urged to take note of these canonical provisions and ensure their diligent application within their respective jurisdictions.”
The CBCN President reaffirmed the Church’s unequivocal prohibition against clerics actively engaging in partisan politics or assuming public office without proper ecclesiastical authorisation. “This is a matter of utmost gravity, and we urge all priests to adhere faithfully to these canonical laws and embrace their sacred duties with the utmost fidelity and devotion.”
