Catholic clerics have warned that the abuse of technology and the growing spread of the prosperity gospel pose serious threats to Christianity and humanity, urging Nigerians to embrace faith rooted in moral values rather than materialism.

The warning was given on Thursday at the fifth edition of the Church Life Africa (CLA) Summer Conference 2026 in Abuja, where Catholic scholars and church leaders challenged young people to use technology responsibly while remaining faithful to the core teachings of Christianity.

The three-day conference, themed “The New Evangelization and the Future of Global Catholicism,” brings together young Catholics from across the country for faith formation aimed at equipping them to live out Christian values in an increasingly complex world.

Speaking during the conference, Director of Church Life Africa, Fr. Kenneth Amadi, said Nigeria’s greatest asset remains its youthful population, while the African Church’s greatest strength lies in its vibrant young Catholics.

He said the conference was designed to ensure that the rapid growth of Christianity in Africa translates into enduring faith through deliberate investment in the moral and spiritual formation of young people.

Drawing lessons from Europe’s declining church attendance, Amadi noted that while the continent once produced missionaries who brought Christianity, education and healthcare to Africa, insufficient investment in the formation of lay faithful contributed to the gradual erosion of the faith in many countries.

He said Africa must avoid repeating that experience by preparing today’s young Christians to become morally grounded leaders of tomorrow.

“The biggest asset that Nigeria has is its human resources, especially its young population. Likewise, the greatest asset of the African Church is its vibrant young Catholics. We must invest in them today so that the faith will endure for generations,” he said.

On the role of technology, Amadi described innovation as indispensable but insisted that it should never replace humanity or determine how people live.

“Technology is good, but it is only a tool. Technology should not drive the human person; the human person should drive and control technology,” he said.

He explained that Christianity provides the ethical foundation required to ensure technology serves education, healthcare, governance and development without undermining human dignity.

According to him, faith helps people understand who they are, guides them in the responsible use of technology and discourages its application for crime, immorality or activities that devalue human life.

Amadi also urged young Catholics to remain steadfast despite insecurity and religious persecution, saying the Church promotes dialogue, compassion, solidarity and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and backgrounds.

He said proper religious education was critical to building a more peaceful society, adding that Church Life Africa seeks to nurture young people who would positively influence their communities through sound moral values.

In his remarks, the keynote speaker and Professor of Theology and Africana Studies, Fr. Paulinus Odozor, criticised the increasing commercialisation of Christianity, warning that the prosperity gospel has distorted the true message of Christ.

According to him, many religious leaders now exploit the desperation of people facing economic hardship by promising miracles, wealth and material success that Christianity was never intended to guarantee.

“We got here with people inventing what they believe works for Christianity. We got here with people trying to cash in on the desperation of people,” he said.

Odozor maintained that Jesus Christ’s mission was to restore humanity’s relationship with God rather than eliminate every form of suffering or provide instant material prosperity.

“The Lord healed many people, but He did not heal everybody. His intention was to bring God to people and restore them to friendship with God,” he said.

He warned that presenting Christianity as a guarantee for visas, wealth, marriage or instant breakthroughs creates false expectations that often leave believers disillusioned.

“The prosperity gospel is killing Christianity because people are being promised things that are not part of the Christian message. When those expectations are not met, many walk away from the faith,” he said.

The theologian also cautioned against elevating religious leaders above their proper place in Christianity.

“There is only one God. Christianity has no guru. Only Jesus Christ occupies that place,” he added.

The conference continues with sessions on evangelisation, leadership development, Catholic social teaching and the role of African youth in shaping the future of the global Catholic Church.

Church Life Africa will also honour renowned Nigerian liturgical hymn composer, Mr Jude Nnam, with the CLA Impact Award for his immense contribution to Catholic worship through hymns composed in English and several Nigerian languages.