In the June 2024 circular, Archbishop Adewale Martins re-stated 16 liturgy-related practices banned in the Archdiocese of Lagos. Here they are:
- Issuing of account numbers, apart from the hosting parish account, to which moneys shall be paid for any purpose is prohibited.
- Selling of items such as candles, oil, salt, mustard seed, handkerchief, etc.
- Indiscriminate use of Sacramentals/oils during such programmes.
- Distribution of personal envelopes/forms for prayer requests with any amount of cash to be enclosed.
- Using of formulas and books that are not approved by the Church for blessing of various Sacramentals.
- Asking people to perform or carry out any profane exercise and/or rituals that are fetish in appearance.
- Blessing of items that are not religious articles such as crude oil, “back to sender oil”, “coconut oil,” etc.
- Disrespect for the Blessed Sacrament in the form of dancing to traditional drum beats in full vestments, walking along the aisles with the monstrance or carrying it with one hand with the other holding a microphone, etc.
- Requesting the people of God to throw money onto the sanctuary.
- Inviting people unto the sanctuary during fund-raising and launching.
- Unnecessarily keeping people very late in the Church.
- Soliciting for money for oneself, for private project or requesting for gifts, cars and other accessories. People should give voluntarily.
- Celebrating Mass or exposing the Blessed Sacrament in private homes.
- Celebrating Baptism and other sacraments in private homes.
- Organising so-called harvest and bazaar in private homes, Event Centres or Hotels, etc.
- Invited priests bringing along the so-called ‘intercessors or ministers’ i.e. Lay persons meant to perform functions and brought along on the entourage of such priests. If there is any need, members of Prayer Groups in such parishes should be engaged.
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