Some clergymen distort gospel to exploit members — Bishop Kaigama

The Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, has criticised what he described as the distortion of Christian teachings by some clergymen who take material advantage of worshippers by promising them wealth in the name of God.

Kaigama made the remarks during his homily at the Opening Mass of the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, on Sunday.

Preaching on the theme, “Resist the Allurement of Worldly Pleasures,” to mark the First Sunday of Lent (Year A), the Archbishop warned against reducing Christianity to the pursuit of material prosperity.

“Some so-called powerful men of God preach a distorted message that God will make people rich, and people flock to their churches to receive ‘grace for wealth. Many Christians believe that Jesus came to make them rich, and the only reason they follow Christ is to become rich”, he said.

He lamented that such teachings have led many faithful to equate devotion with financial breakthroughs, adding that some pastors exploit “gullible, ignorant and superstitious persons in the name of Christ.”

According to Kaigama, the temptation to turn faith into a prosperity-driven enterprise mirrors the biblical temptation of Jesus in the desert when Satan urged Him to turn stones into bread.

Referencing the Gospel of Matthew (4:1–11), the Archbishop noted that Jesus refused to reduce His mission to mere material satisfaction, stressing that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God.”

He observed that Nigeria’s current economic realities, rising fuel prices, high cost of farm inputs and transportation, have created hardship that makes people vulnerable to messages promising instant wealth and miracles.

“In such a climate, one may hear voices saying: ‘Secure yourself first. Compromise a little. Everyone does it,’” he said, cautioning that true discipleship demands integrity rather than compromise.

Kaigama also condemned what he described as staged miracles and exaggerated testimonies designed to manipulate believers.

“‘God will do it’ becomes an excuse for laziness or injustice. True faith does not test God. True faith trusts and obeys Him,” he said.

He warned against the temptation of power without service, drawing parallels between biblical accounts and contemporary society. According to him, the misuse of authority is not limited to politicians but extends to parents, employers, and even religious leaders who seek honour rather than service.

“We have seen leaders who desire power but not responsibility, titles and positions but not service,” he said.

While expressing hope that future elections would reflect the genuine will of the people through credible electronic systems, Kaigama emphasised that the Church’s mission is rooted not in political favour but in God’s grace.

The Archbishop urged Christians to use the Lenten season, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as a time for spiritual renewal and ethical transformation.

Quoting St. Augustine and referencing the 2026 Lenten message of Pope Leo XIV, he called on the faithful to “disarm their language,” avoid harsh judgment, and cultivate kindness in families, workplaces, social media, and political discourse.

He noted that this year’s Lent coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, describing the overlap as a providential opportunity for deeper interreligious understanding and commitment to peace.

Kaigama encouraged Nigerians to defend the dignity of the poor, advocate for unemployed youths, and act responsibly in public life, including exercising their civic duties wisely.

“Lent asks us: What are we worshipping? God or power? God or money?” He said.

He urged believers to choose service over power, integrity over wealth, and accountability over corruption, praying that the Bishops’ conference would yield fruitful deliberations for the good of the Church and the nation.