Chimamanda Adichie
Multiple Award-winning Nigerian author and novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said Catholicism in Nigeria is about money, thanksgiving, and fundraising.
According to her, this is one of the other reasons that made her stop attending Catholic churches in Nigeria.
The 43-year-old made this known during an interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
Chimamanda Adichie, however, noted that she still considers herself a Catholic and only attends masses outside Nigeria when she comes across a “progressive” Catholic community that upholds humanity.
She recounted that she grew up as a Catholic and Catholicism was very important to her. She stated that it‘s almost like a culture, not just a religion. So even an exit from the Catholic Church does not mean a loss of its values.
In Adichie’s words,
“I’m Catholic, nominally but I do not attend it in Nigeria.
“Nigerian Catholicism is way too much about money, fundraising, and thanksgiving. Some in the east even look at who’s wearing gold. I think the focus of religion should be things Nigerian Catholicism doesn’t focus on.
“I go to church outside the country when I find a progressive Catholic Church.
She, however, noted that she respects religion in general but questions some of its excesses.