Catholic Bishops Reject Same-sex Unions in Lagos and Ogun

The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province have unanimously declared their opposition to the blessing of same-sex marriages.

The Lagos Ecclesiastical Province encompasses the Lagos Archdiocese, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta Dioceses.

In a communique signed by Archbishop Alfred Martins and Bishop Francis Adesina, the clerics stated their full support for the position of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which opposes the blessing of same-sex unions.

This stance comes in response to the Vatican’s landmark ruling in December 2023 that allowed Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples, as long as they were not part of regular church rituals, liturgies, or civil unions.

The Vatican’s decision, approved by Pope Francis, has been met with mixed reactions and criticism.

In light of this, the Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province have reaffirmed the Church’s stance on marriage as a union between a man and a woman, with the potential to bear children.

They also emphasized the importance of adhering to the Church’s teachings on human sexuality.

This recent development underscores the ongoing debate surrounding same-sex unions within the Catholic Church and the broader religious community.

As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the Church’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights and relationships in the future.