“We Are the Reason Idol Worship Is Resurging in Igbo Land” – Bishop Blames Church Leaders

The alarming resurgence of idol worship in Igbo land has triggered strong condemnation from church leaders, with Bishop Gideon Ilechukwu declaring that the Christian community, particularly its leaders, are to blame for the growing trend. The Bishop, who heads the Anglican Missionary Congregations in the UK and Europe, said the failure of Christians to live out their faith is encouraging many to return to pagan practices.

Speaking at the 33rd Synod of the Diocese on the Niger held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Ojoto, in Anambra State, Bishop Ilechukwu lamented that church leaders no longer reflect the values of Christ. “We are the reason idol worship is resurging because of our way of life. If people saw the light in us, if our lives truly reflected Christ, they would not return to paganism,” he said.

His remarks were backed by other senior clergy across denominations. Archbishop Raphael Opoko of the Methodist Church, Umuahia Diocese, said the church has become complicit by honouring people with questionable wealth. He criticised religious institutions for celebrating corrupt politicians and businesspeople, granting them awards without questioning the source of their riches. “Silence in the face of this evil is ungodly,” Opoko said. “We should stop celebrating people with questionable characters because of their huge donations.”

Bishop Sunday Onuoha, co-chair of the Interfaith Peace and Justice Forum, similarly urged churches to stop conferring awards on individuals with dubious character, noting that this only emboldens them and misleads the faithful.

However, some leaders pointed to deeper social and economic causes. Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Okwadike, a Holy Ghost priest in Ebonyi State, said that beyond the church’s shortcomings, bad governance, poverty, and unemployment have pushed many youths into idol worship and ritual practices. “Some believe that sacrificing to their forefathers will change their fortunes. They are brainwashed into believing that God does not answer prayers fast enough,” he said.

He also accused some pastors of abandoning salvation messages for prosperity preaching, adding that certain church leaders allegedly receive charms from native doctors to attract crowds. “Some operate churches like native doctors’ shrines because they want to be rich overnight,” he warned.

Pastor Innocent Okwuonu of True God Evangelical Ministry in Anambra State highlighted the troubling reality that many practicing idol worshippers are actually Christians. He said deliverance sessions often reveal items of traditional worship hidden in Christian homes. “When your foundation is destroyed, you will be operating under a curse you don’t even know its source,” he warned.

Evangelist Okechukwu Ukaegbu of the Church of God Seventh Day, Nigeria, said the core issue lies in the societal obsession with wealth. “People now worship money, regardless of how it was made. This mindset drives the youth into rituals, cultism, and idol worship because they believe that’s the fastest route to wealth,” he said.

Pastor Joshua Okorie of True Rhema Evangelical Church in Owerri emphasized the need for Christians to reflect Christ in their daily lives rather than focus solely on miracles and prophecies. He added that many native doctors are exploiting this desperation, posing as spiritual solution providers while defrauding the vulnerable.

Across the South East, reports indicate a growing number of churches are recovering traditional worship items from Christian families during deliverance services. Despite these efforts, some members return to idol worship even after being prayed over, raising concerns about the depth of Christian conviction in the region.