Valentine Chukwunyere AcholonuLiturgical Inculturation among Igbo Christians of Nigeria

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A historical evaluation of liturgical inculturation among Igbo Christians of Nigeria in the light of ecclesial liturgical norms and principles of liturgical inculturation reflects principally the norms for adapting the Liturgy to the culture and traditions of peoples.

According to the Council Fathers: „Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community; rather does she respect and foster the genius and talents of the various races and peoples. Anything in these peoples' way of life which is not indissolubly bound up with superstition and error she studies with sympathy and, if possible, preserves intact. Sometimes in fact she admits such things into the liturgy itself, so long as they harmonize with its true and authentic spirit“ (SC 37). But how many of the local Churches have utilized this opportunity in Africa?

The local churches in Africa must ask themselves how the one Gospel can bring ist light and force to African concrete context so that the people can live the Gospel in the light of their situation and respond to their challenges. To this effect, a critical evaluation is needed as a very important step in the process of liturgical inculturation because, “in order that sound tradition be retained, and yet the way remain open to legitimate progress, a careful investigation – theological, historical, and pastoral – should always be made into each part of the liturgy which is to be revised” (SC 23). In view of this, the author makes a historical evaluation of liturgical inculturation in Igbo local Church in the light of the magisterial teachings of the Church and liturgical norms. Hence, this study intends to emphasize the necessity of theological investigation and evaluation as given above, for a successful authentic liturgical inculturation in Igbo Catholicism.