The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has condemned the use of Catholic clerical robes by students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi), during a recent drama performance.
The students were seen wearing the robes as part of activities to mark their exit from the university, which sparked controversy after images circulated on social media.
In a statement issued by the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Makurdi Diocese, on Friday, the action was described as a “gross disrespect to the Catholic faith and everything that it holds dear.”
The statement, which was signed by the Chairman of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Hembadoon Orsar, said the action smacks a mockery of the revered Reverend Sisters who are known for proper dressing.
The statement read in part, “This action shows gross disrespect to the Catholic faith and everything that it holds dear. It is a mockery of our revered Reverend Sisters who are perpetually decent and model in their dressing and cover despite their outstanding physical beauty for the sake of glorifying God
“The use of clerical robes or any costume for purposes of drama should exactly depict the essence of the original text of such material.
“That is why the Nigerian Film industry censors all films before they are released for public consumption. If the film industry meticulously censors all work to remove negative intents before use, it becomes very condemnable for a university that should ordinarily be a citadel of learning to allow its students to engage in negative vices and release an uncensored product to the public.
“This action sadly represents an attack on the Catholic Church and a mockery of the people’s faith. If the students had desired to use their costume in good faith, they should have done so properly to depict what they represent because, in the history of the church, no Nun goes with a dress above her knees.”
CAMPAN is an association of media professionals within the diocese responsible for communicating Christ and protecting the image of the Church. It added that it viewed the action as a deliberate effort to insult the Catholic Church.
It added, “While it is a free world, your freedom ends where another person’s own starts, thereby creating a thin line between yours and that of another, one must be careful not to cross the line.
“It is disheartening that the university seem to have failed in its responsibility to teach its students the fragility and consequences that accompany issues of religion which has led to brazen disrespect with the Catholic Church as its first victim.
“We agree that as communication scholars and practitioners, the law of indecency and obscenity is not universal but it is good to note that good character upbringing should teach us never to go beyond the acceptable limits in whatever circumstance.”
