AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY

Prophets and prophecy in contemporary Nigerian Christianity have generated complex theological and pastoral challenges for the Catholic Church. This article examines the phenomenon of misconstruing prophets and prophecy - understood as the misinterpretation, misuse, and commercialization of prophetic activities - within Nigeria’s religious landscape and its implications for Catholic faith and practice. Drawing on biblical theology, Catholic teaching on prophecy, and empirical observations of Nigerian religious culture, the study distinguishes authentic prophetic ministry from practices that reduce prophecy to divination, material prosperity, or political prediction. It analyses how Simony, abuses of Eucharistic Adoration, commercialization of miracles, preference of Eucharistic Adoration over the Holy Mass, emergence and spread of the prosperity gospel to juicy monetary benefits for priests contribute to the menace. The article argues that such misconstruals undermine core Catholic doctrines on revelation, the role of the Magisterium, and the communal nature of discernment, leadingn to syncretism, spiritual dependency, and erosion of trust in ecclesial authority. It further explores the pastoral consequences, including the rise of alternative religious authorities, fragmentation of Catholic identity, and challenges to catechesis and sacramental life. The write-up proposes a framework for theological and pastoral renewal ranging from proper catechesis, checkmating of the priests’ pastoral activities by the Bishops, going back to the Catholic root, deepening the Catholic Spirituality, practicing and passing-on the faith, Sacramental life and pious devotions to Social Entrepreneurship.

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