Some Nigerians were on Thursday divided over same-sex marriage as controversy continues to trail Pope Francis’ statement.
Some X (formerly Twitter) users backed the Pope’s position while others maintained that the church should not welcome same-sex marriage.
This is coming as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria said in a statement that same-sex marriage was “against God’s law” and blessing such would not be possible in the church.
The Vatican had on Monday approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as it was not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.
The document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by the pope said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomed all.
The document backed “the possibility of blessing for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex” but “this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them.”
But the bishops said the blessing of same-sex union was against God’s law, the teachings of the church, and the law of the country.
They made this known in a statement released and signed by the President of the conference, Lucius Ugirji, and the Secretary, Donayus Ogun dated Wednesday.
They said, “The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria assures the entire people of God that the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage remains the same. There is, therefore, no possibility in the church of blessing same-sex unions 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.”
Taking to X, @_khay_O, said he was “not surprised” that “African bishops are massively rejecting the pope’s speech regarding same-sex marriage in the catholic church. “Just disappointed in those (who) were trying to twist the narrative to defend such a statement.” “Such topics shouldn’t even be discussed together,” he said.
@PeterOk82794802 said he wondered what African Catholics were defending. “Devil also played with words to confuse Eve. Pope says: ‘Bless same-sex marriages’. Roman Catholics here interpret: Pope does not say you should bless the marriage. In the United States and Europe, same-sex marriage has long been backed by the Pope. What are you African Roman Catholics defending?” he posted on X.
Reacting to other users’ comments, @yve_starr insisted the pope did not approve of same-sex marriage. “Make Una dey try read (You all should try to read). The Pope did not approve of same-sex marriage. He said if they ask for blessings they should be given as God receives everyone,” the user said.
“The Pope has not instructed for same-sex marriage or union to be blessed, neither is the church marrying them @Mrombudsmann_ wrote, wondering if people took time to read the document.
“Pope is not a yardstick of holiness. And his statement from the document did not endorse same-sex marriage. They only explained what was written in the document,” @Andre28811 said wondering if a thief could not approach a pastor for prayers.
“Where did the pope approve same-sex marriage?” @ChiNneomaChris asked on X.
@OziomaEmerson also posted, “Like seriously, what is Christianity turning into? How can the Catholic Pope encourage same-sex marriage? Well, I think the end is near, God have mercy upon us.”
@burtle_tweets wrote, “I’m not an advocate for homosexuality oh! In fact, you don’t hate it than me. But let’s be factual here, all the pope is trying to say is ‘we shouldn’t chase them away from the church’ (that is) why he said bless same-sex couples not bless same-sex marriage. The church is not in support.”
The Nigerian bishops in the statement dated December 20, said Francis’s permitting of the blessing of same-sex marriage was misinterpreted.
They said, “The declaration acknowledges and carefully distinguishes between ritual, liturgical, and informal blessings. While ritual or liturgical blessings are imparted according to the established norms of the church, informal blessings refer to prayers over people who ask for them outside the liturgy or any formal declaration offers a consideration of the possibility of extending the informal blessing to all God’s children, irrespective their moral condition, when they ask to be blessed.
“Nevertheless, the declaration insists that the blessing of persons in irregular unions – and never the union of itself- can only take a non-liturgical form to avoid confusion. It should not be imparted during or in connection with connection with a civil wedding ceremony or with clothing, words, and signs associated with a wedding.
“The declaration reiterates the Catholic Church’s perennial teaching on marriage as an ‘exclusive, stable and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the generation of children’ and emphatically states that the Church does not have the power to impart a blessing on irregular unions.”
The statement also said the declaration reinforced the truth about God’s mercy.
“For one to willingly ask for a blessing demonstrates one’s trust in God and the desire to live according to God’s commandments. Asking for God’s blessing is not dependent on how good one is. Imperfection is the reason for seeking God’s grace. Therefore, those in irregular unions are invited never to lose hope but rather to ask for God’s grace and mercy while remaining open to conversion,” it read.
The PUNCH reports that the spokesperson for the Abuja Archdiocese, Fr. Patrick Alumuku, in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, also put the issue in perspective. He maintained that the Pope’s position should not be misinterpreted to mean sacrament.
Alumuku said, “My position is the position of the Catholic church. I think we need to put this issue in perspective because what has happened up till now is that no one has been allowed to deal with people who are lesbian until now (in the church). What the Pope is saying is that this discrimination is not necessary – that is basically what he’s saying, and that there is a need to help these people understand that they are children of God. In the process, they could be converted, and they can change their position.”
