The Vatican diplomat further said his greater concern was the “banalization” of the liturgy—a process in which sacred practices are made ordinary or common. “This is something that has to be avoided at all costs,” the Apostolic Nuncio emphasized.
Archbishop Crotty noted that holiness should be the hallmark of every Priest, especially in the celebration of Holy Mass.
“The most important thing that any Priest can do—the single most essential aspect of his identity—is to identify himself with Jesus Christ, the High Priest. And it is in the offering of the Eucharist where we are most closely conformed and part of the ministry of Jesus Christ himself,” he said.
The Irish-born diplomat added, “We call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A Priest should be holy, and anything that distracts from that needs to be avoided.”
Archbishop Crotty said Priestly and religious formation must be rooted in the pursuit of holiness, saying, “Where Priests are holy, holiness flourishes around them.”
Also addressing recent acts of violence against the Church in Nigeria, the Apostolic Nuncio condemned the July 10 attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, where three Seminarians were kidnapped and a security officer killed.
He said, “Like many Nigerians, I ask why this is happening. These Seminarians are not businessmen, they have no money. They are not political actors, and it is of great concern to me and to the entire Church in Nigeria.”
He described insecurity in Nigeria as “complex,” marked by unchecked criminality and impunity.
“We are all aware of the violent criminality that seems to go unchecked. I share the concerns of the Church as to why Catholic institutions are being targeted,” he said.
Archbishop Crotty expressed solidarity with the Diocese of Auchi and called for accountability from the state.
