According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, blessing same-sex marriage is against God’s law. The Nigerian bishops, responding to the issue sparked by Pope Francis’ decree that Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples, also stated that blessing same-sex marriage is counter to Church teachings, national laws, and Nigerian cultural sensibilities.
This was stated by the bishops in a statement made available to the media on Thursday in Ibadan. The statement was signed by CBCN President and Secretary Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and Secretary Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, as well as other executives.
The bishops reaffirmed that the Catholic Church’s views on marriage remained 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.