BY ACJ-FAVOUR AMUKA
(FRIDAY, DEC. 22, 2023)
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has restated its stance against blessing same-sex unions and activities, stating that such actions would contradict God’s law and the teachings of the Church. The bishops emphasized that this position is in line with the laws of Nigeria and the cultural sensibilities of the Nigerian people.
In response to the recent Vatican decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples, the CBCN issued an unequivocal statement, affirming the Church’s teaching on marriage as an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union of a man and a woman.” The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) also reaffirmed the Church’s unchanged teachings on the sacrament of marriage.
While the Vatican’s declaration, ‘Fiducia Supplicans,’ clarified the different forms of blessings that can be given in the Catholic Church, including the possibility of blessing persons in irregular unions, the CBCN clarified that such blessings should only be performed in a non-liturgical manner to avoid confusion. These irregular unions include divorced and remarried couples, those in same-sex unions, polygamous unions, and concubinage, among others.
The bishops emphasized that blessings for individuals in irregular unions should not be conducted during or in connection with a civil wedding ceremony, nor should they incorporate attire, language, or symbols associated with a wedding. They urged those in irregular unions to remain hopeful and open to conversion, but reiterated that the Church does not possess the authority to bestow blessings on unions such as same-sex marriages.
The CBCN expressed gratitude to priests for their support of married couples and urged them to continue upholding the sanctity of holy matrimony, while also avoiding any actions that would detract from the sacredness of the sacrament.
It is important to note that the information provided is sourced from the CBCN and the CSN.
