A student of Taraba State University, Endurance Achikare Igbagri, has tendered a public apology to the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo and Christian community over a ‘Catholic nun outfit’ she wore during the school’s recent Costume Day.
Photos and videos that circulated on social media show some students, including Ms Igbagri, dressed in costumes that mimic Catholic religious attires, especially those of Rev. Sisters and priests, in a manner deemed disrespectful by Catholic faithfuls.
In the apology letter addressed to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Reverend Fathers, Catholic faithfuls and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), she described her action as deeply thoughtless, disrespectful, completely unacceptable and done out of ignorance.
In the letter titled: “Formal Apology for the Abuse and Misuse of Church Attire” Igbagri expressed deep regret for the disrespect and embarrassment her action caused, especially to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the University Chaplaincy, and the school management.
She thanked those who corrected her with understanding and pledged to conduct herself with the utmost reverence and respect for all religious symbols and institutions going forward. Read her post below:
“I write to you today with a profound sense of regret and humility to offer my sincere apology for my recent actions involving the inappropriate use and abuse of attire sacred to the Catholic Church,” she wrote.
I am fully aware that images of my disrespectful act have been circulated widely on social media, causing scandal and offense to the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, the wider Catholic community, and all those who hold the sanctity of the Church and its traditions dear.
My actions were deeply thoughtless, disrespectful, and completely unacceptable. There is no adequate excuse for the lack of judgment I displayed. I fully understand that these items of attire are not mere costumes but are sacred symbols of the Church’s ministry, sacraments, and deep spiritual heritage. By treating them with disrespect, I have desecrated something holy and hurt the spiritual sensibilities of countless people.
I take full and sole responsibility for the resulting damage and distress my conduct has caused. I sincerely regret that my actions have become a distraction and a source of negative attention for the Diocese and the Church at large.
I hope you and the faithful you serve can, in time, find it in your hearts to accept this apology. I am committed to learning from this grave mistake and ensuring that I conduct myself with the utmost reverence and respect for all religious symbols and institutions going forward. Please accept once again my deepest and most heartfelt apologies.
