CATHOLIC archbishop of Sokoto diocese Bishop Matthew Kukah has used his Christmas message to condemn the current the investment of billions of naira into the running of churches across Nigeria in recent times.

Nigeria's religious houses, especially, its evangelical churches are now awash with cash as members are compelled by clergymen to pay a tenth of their wages as tithes. Known as pastorprueners, these clergymen as some of the richest businessmen in the world, with strings of private jets and business concerns that include private universities and large investment portfolios.

Sounding a warning that this habit ran against the tenants of Christianity, which is about sacrifice and giving to the needy, Bishop Kukah, has called on his fellow clergymen to show some restraint. In his Christmas message, Bishop Kukah said religion should not be a profit-driven venture.

Bishop Kukah added: “The word of God and its living blessings are free. Isaiah said that much when he said Come all of you who are thirsty, come to the water and you who have no money, come and eat. Buy wine and milk without money and without cost (Is 55:1).

“St Paul reminded us What is my profit? It is this: that in preaching the word I might offer it free of charge (1 Cor. 9:18). This is what led Jesus to express His only visible show of anger and violence when he whipped the moneychangers and accused them of; turning His Father’s house into a den of thieves (Matt. 21:13).”

According to Bishop Kukah,  there were times when the Catholic Church was guilty of Simony -  the practice of making profit out of sacred things. He added that considering the life that Jesus Christ lived, it is difficult to understand how Nigerians had come to equate success, prosperity and blessings of God with wealth. 

“It was one of the reasons for Fr Martin Luther’s revolt but, so much has changed now. Prayer for our people is the duty of all ordained ministers but today, it has become subject to abuse. 

“The embarrassing billions being committed to spiritual matters is an act of outright criminality and nothing to do with the Christian faith. This is one of the damning betrayals of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Kukah added. 

He called on Christians to return to the model of Jesus Christ as they celebrate Christmas. According to Bishop Kukah, had riches been the essence of the mission of Jesus, He would have handed his ministry to bankers and economists such as Matthew or even Judas. 

“He was born into the most absolute expression of poverty, in a dirty and smelling stable with animals. In real life, the Lord of Heaven and earth had no place to lay His head (Mt 8: 20, Lk. 9:58).

 “He ate His last supper in a borrowed home (Lk 22; 7ff). He rode to Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey (Mt. 21:3, Lk. 19:31, Mk. 11:3). In death, He was buried in a borrowed tomb (Mt. 27:57)," Bishop Kukah added.