The
chaplain of the College of Education Akwanga in Nasarawa State, Rev. Fr.
Gabriel Ngbea, has urged the Catholic Church to serve African foods during
Eucharist, in order to “make the Eucharist more relevant to Nigerians.”
He
also debunked claims in the media alleging his support for polygamy
in the Catholic Church.
In
an exclusive interview with Punch in Lafia, the Nasarawa
State capital, Ngbea said he was quoted out of context by some
media during the Acculturation Mass at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church, Akwanga.
The
priest however affirmed that he had called on the Catholic Church to study
indigenous cultures, with the view to introducing some of the good virtues
into the Catholic Church doctrine in order to effectively reach the people
with the gospel.
He
also advocated the introduction of African traditional food, noting that
the deep awareness that such foods came from God would make the Eucharist
more relevant to Nigerians.
The
priest, however, said he only urged the Catholic Church to be
understanding and consider the predicament of those who were polygamous
before repentance in terms sacraments and denial of Christian burial
rites.
“There
is need to come out with clear guidelines regarding the sacramental state
of polygamists who found themselves in that state before accepting Christ.
“This
is not in any way advocating for polygamy in the church. The union between
one man and one woman was ordained by God since creation; any other form
of union is unacceptable.”
“Already,
Catholics in Nigeria have started using their native names for baptism,
but we still need to encourage people to use their native languages and
meaningful names for baptism.
“Most
of our names as Africans have more meaning for the bearers than foreign
names. For instance, the Yoruba people, both Christians and Muslims, still
bear their names massively.
“Our
celebration of the Eucharist must be a joyful celebration as Africans,
everybody must be carried along,” Ngbea said.
-Punch
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