The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has affirmed that Catholic Churches in the country will not perform blessings for same-sex unions.
In a statement jointly issued by the President of the conference, Lucius Ugirji, and the Secretary, Donayus Ogun, the bishops underscored that such blessings are contrary to God’s law, the teachings of the church, and the legal statutes of the nation.
The bishops clarified that there was a misunderstanding of Pope Francis’s remarks regarding the blessing of same-sex marriages. They clarified that the Pope’s statement aimed at elucidating the various types of blessings within the Catholic Church, including the potential blessing of individuals in irregular unions, such as divorced and remarried couples, those in same-sex unions, polygamous unions, and concubinage.
Distinguishing between ritual or liturgical blessings adhering to established church norms and informal blessings occurring through prayers outside formal church ceremonies, the bishops explained that the Pope’s declaration considered extending informal blessings to all individuals, irrespective of their moral standing when seeking them. However, they emphasized that blessings for individuals in irregular unions (rather than the unions themselves) should only assume a non-liturgical form to prevent confusion and should not be linked with civil wedding ceremonies.
Reiterating the Catholic Church’s conventional doctrine on marriage as an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the generation of children,” the bishops affirmed that the Church lacks the authority to bestow blessings on irregular unions.
The bishops also underscored the Pope’s declaration as a reinforcement of the truth about God’s mercy, emphasizing that seeking a blessing reflects trust in God and a commitment to living in accordance with God’s commandments. They encouraged those in irregular unions to maintain hope, seek God’s grace and mercy, and remain open to conversion.
Expressing gratitude to priests for supporting married couples, the bishops urged them to uphold the sanctity of holy matrimony and avoid actions that diminish the sacrament’s sacredness. They concluded their statement with Christmas wishes for everyone.
