By Olivia Obijiaku
The Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh has bemoaned merging of rituals by some Christians. Condemning the practice, the local ordinary disclosed that the present day prayer houses are actually business centers, which are run by coded native doctors, who deceive their prey with sacramentals that they display therein.
He proffered emulation of the apostles, who were determined to obey God rather than man, even when their lives were at stake.
“We believe in God, yet, we still go to prayer houses.” His Lordship pinpointed. “Prayer house is the digital name of bouka houses. In those days, when people go to bouka houses, they tell them to bring life cock, lizard and the rest. Then, they knew where they were. But these days, when they go there, they see a large Bible, they see a huge Rosary, so that they do not suspect anything immediately.”
“We see a lot of people involved in syncretism – coming to Church and still going back to worship other things. And now that they are bringing the two together, where is God in this? Some of us are here as Christians, but when they leave the Church, their attitude, their character and behavior do not show that they are Christians.”
“What we see in our society today, is that people tend to keep the rules and regulations of institutions, so that they are not sent away, so that they are not excommunicated. The apostles said that, in as much as they remain in the service of Jesus Christ, they will listen to God, they will obey God, rather than men. How often do we choose to obey God and disobey humans? How often do we choose to disobey God and obey humans?” Bishop Daboh queried.
