The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has emphasized that blessing same-sex marriage contradicts God’s law.
The Nigerian Catholic Bishops, in a collective voice, have firmly stated that blessing same-sex marriages goes against not only the teachings of the Church but also the laws of the country and the cultural values deeply ingrained in Nigerian society. The bishops stand united in their commitment to upholding traditional beliefs regarding marriage.
Central to the bishops’ argument is the assertion that the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage remain unchanged. Marriage, according to Catholic doctrine, is a sacred union between a man and a woman, symbolizing the divine relationship between Christ and the Church. The bishops argue that altering this definition would compromise the integrity of a fundamental sacrament.
The bishops firmly anchor their opposition in what they perceive as God’s law, as interpreted through centuries of religious doctrine. They maintain that the Scriptures unequivocally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Blessing same-sex marriages, according to the bishops, would be tantamount to defying divine ordinances.
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In response to the controversy following Pope Francis’ directive allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, the Nigerian bishops underscored that such blessings are against the teachings of the Church, the laws of the country, and the cultural values upheld by Nigerians.
This stance was conveyed in a statement released to the press on Thursday in Ibadan, signed by CBCN President Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, Secretary Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, and other executives.
The bishops reiterated that the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage remain unchanged.
“There is, therefore, no possibility in the Church of blessing same-sex unions and activities; that will go against God’s law, the teachings of the church, the laws of our nation, and the cultural sensibilities of our people.
“We thank all the priests for their accompaniment of married couples, asking them to continue in all they do to sustain the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and never to do anything that will detract from the sacredness of this sacrament,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishops said.
The Nigerian Catholic Bishops reiterate their unwavering commitment to upholding traditional beliefs regarding marriage. Blessing same-sex marriages, they argue, is not only contrary to the teachings of the Church but also conflicts with the laws of the nation and the cultural values held dear by Nigerians. The bishops maintain that preserving the sanctity of marriage, as defined by centuries of religious doctrine, is crucial for maintaining the moral fabric of both the church and Nigerian society. As debates on this contentious issue continue, the CBCN stands firm, championing the age-old principles that have guided the church throughout its history.
