“If Government Can’t Provide Anti-Venom, They Call It a Serpentine Spirit” — Catholic Priest Criticises Habit of Blaming Misfortune on Spiritual Causes
A Nigerian Catholic priest has criticised what he described as an ingrained tendency among some Nigerians to blame misfortunes on spiritual causes, especially when authorities fail to address basic public health and safety challenges.
The priest made the remarks while speaking on societal attitudes toward issues such as snake bites, accidents, and disease outbreaks. According to him, there is a growing habit of attributing problems to supernatural forces rather than confronting systemic failures, particularly on the part of government institutions.
Using snake bite incidents as an example, the cleric lamented that when victims die due to a lack of access to anti-venom in hospitals, the situation is often explained away as the work of a “serpentine spirit” instead of questioning why essential medical supplies are unavailable. He described this mindset as dangerous and counterproductive.
The priest argued that such beliefs allow leaders and institutions to evade responsibility, while citizens are encouraged to seek spiritual explanations instead of demanding accountability and improved services. He stressed that faith should not be used as a substitute for proper healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.
According to him, religion and science are not enemies, but problems arise when spiritual explanations are used to excuse negligence or policy failure. He warned that continued reliance on superstition could worsen public health outcomes and delay urgent interventions.
His comments have sparked conversations online, with many Nigerians agreeing that poor governance and weak healthcare systems are often masked by religious interpretations. Others, however, defended spiritual beliefs, arguing that faith remains an important coping mechanism in difficult circumstances.
The priest maintained that while prayer and faith have their place, they must go hand in hand with practical solutions. He urged citizens to challenge leaders to invest in healthcare, emergency response systems, and education rather than normalising preventable deaths.
The remarks have added to ongoing debates about the role of religion, governance, and personal responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s social and health challenges.
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