NSODA Threatens Court Action Against Catholic Church Over Cultural Desecration

The Nso Development Association (NSODA) has expressed strong opposition to the Catholic Church’s inculturation practices and has threatened legal action against the church for desecrating Nso tradition and culture.

Inculturation, a concept stemming from the 1994 Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome, involves integrating local cultures and traditions into evangelization efforts.

In a letter dated June 4, 2024, addressed to the Bishop of Kumbo Diocese and obtained by MMI, the president general of NSODA highlighted concerns about the desecration of Nso’s sacred traditions by Catholics on church premises under the guise of inculturation.

While acknowledging the positive contributions of the church in the Nso Fondom, NSODA called on Catholic authorities to caution their congregants.

“We have not been oblivious to the efforts your diocese has been making in the development of the Nso Kingdom and the evangelization works that have been shaping our society. We remain indebted and sincerely grateful to your Eminence, the Bishop of the Kumbo Diocese,” the letter begins.

However, NSODA believes that some church practices infringe on Nso culture and tradition, viewing them as abuses of inculturation.

“May it please Your Lordship, We have consistently witnessed that the very lofty idea of inculturation embarked on by the Catholic Church in your diocese and even beyond has been wantonly and severely abused by your Christians under your watchful eyes,” the letter, signed by the president general, further states.

The letter cites social media as being inundated with “shocking desecrations of our culture and tradition.”

Expressing total dismay, the president general added, “The few instances that have caught our attention are moot shows in the church or Catholic premises of our highly cherished sacred masquerades, like the Wanmabuh, the Yee Ngwerong, the Kikum, the Kirang Ke Ngiri.”

According to NSODA, the people’s cultural heritage is at risk of extinction if such practices continue unchecked.

“If care is not taken to protect our cultural heritage, which is our identity, then, with the passage of time, our culture will be completely eroded in the guise of inculturation,” he stated.

The association condemned the “provocative moot displays of our culture on Catholic premises and elsewhere under the guise of inculturation.”

They also urged the Bishop to, “caution and counsel the Catholic Christians, or whoever is under His diocese, to consequently refrain from those moot displays of our culture in the name of inculturation within the Catholic premises or under the authority of His Eminence anywhere.”

NSODA also raised concerns about the church bestowing traditional titles in ways that violate traditional practices.

“…red feathering of a lav-samba by the commanders of the Samba Manjong houses attached to the Catholic churches, should be left to the two Mfoomis, Gham and Bah, and not to His Eminence to be putting the feather on the cap of a lav-samba,” the letter pointed out.

NSODA threatened to take the church to court if these practices do not cease.

“We shall not want to be left with any other option than seeking redress from the courts for injunctions to protect what we consider sacred and sanctity in our culture,” NSODA warned, urging the Catholic bishop to give due consideration to the issues raised.

Mimi Mefo Info