The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has stated that same-sex unions would not be sanctioned by the country’s Catholic churches.
The bishops stated that blessing same-sex unions is against God’s law, church teachings, and national law.
They made this clear in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the conference’s President, Lucius Ugirji, and Secretary, Donayus Ogun.
“The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria assures the entire People of God that the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage remains unchanged,” they declared. As a result, there is no way in the Church’s teaching to bless same-sex partnerships and activities.
“That would go against God’s law, the teachings of the Church, the laws of our nation, and the cultural sensibilities of our people.”
The bishops, on the other hand, argued that Pope Francis’ approval of same-sex marriage blessing was misconstrued.
According to the PUNCH, Pope Francis has formally authorised priests to bless same-sex and “irregular” marriages under specific conditions.
“The declaration seeks to clarify the different forms of blessing that can be given to persons and objects in the Catholic Church, including the possibility of blessing persons in irregular unions,” the bishops stated, clarifying the Pope’s comments. Such unions include, but are not limited to, divorced and remarried couples whose prior marriages were not annulled, same-sex unions, polygamous unions, concubinage, and so on.”
“The declaration recognises and differentiates between ritual, liturgical, and informal blessings.” While ritual or liturgical blessings are bestowed in accordance with the Church’s established norms, informal blessings refer to prayers over people who request them outside of the liturgy or any formal declaration offers a consideration of the possibility of extending the informal blessing to all Cod’s children, regardless of moral condition, when they ask to be blessed.
“However, the Declaration insists that, in order to avoid confusion, the blessing of persons in irregular unions–and never the union itself–can only take a non-liturgical form.” It should not be taught at or in connection with a civil wedding ceremony, or with wedding-related apparel, language, or signs.
“The Declaration reiterates the Catholic Church’s perennial teaching on marriage as a “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the birth of offspring,” and emphasises that the Church lacks the authority to bestow a blessing on irregular unions.”
“The Declaration also emphasises the reality of God’s mercy.” A willing request for a blessing indicates one’s faith in God and willingness to live according to God’s commands. It makes no difference how excellent one is to ask for God’s blessing. The reason for seeking God’s grace is because one is imperfect.
As a result, persons in irregular unions are encouraged to never give up hope, but rather to seek God’s compassion and mercy while being open to conversion.”
“The CBCN thanks all the Priests for their accompaniment of married couples, asking them to continue to stain the sacrament of holy matrimony and never to do anything that would detract from the sacredness of this sacrament,” the bishops said. May the Lord guard you and bless you. Amen! Merry Christmas to everyone.”
