Amid recent controversies in the Church, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has asserted that blessing same-sex marriage is against God’s law and will not be condoned in the country.
The Nigerian bishops, who were reacting to the controversy arising from Pope Francis’ directive that Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples, also said blessing same-sex marriage is contrary to the teachings of the Church, the laws of the country and the cultural sensibilities of Nigerians.
The bishops said this in a statement which was obtained by Africa Today News, New York on Friday morning.
The statement was signed by CBCN President and Secretary, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, respectively, and other executives.
The bishops insisted that the teachings of the Catholic Church on marriage remained the same.
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‘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.
Recall that the Vatican had earlier in the week approved blessings for same-sex couples, a hugely contested issue in the Catholic Church, as long as they are not in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.
In a document approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations (including unmarried couples or divorcees) and for couples of the same sex”.
But the document, published by the Vatican’s faith department, does not change the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex marriages or unions.
It reiterates the long-held position that marriage is between only a man and a woman, for the purpose of having children — and says no blessings should be given that confuse the issue.