Nigerian bishops reiterate opposition to same-sex marriage

September 29, 2015

The bishops of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, have reiterated their opposition to same-sex marriage, and an article published by the bishops’ news service asserts that some reporters have distorted their words.

“Since the increasing activism about homosexuality, lesbianism as well as bisexual and transgender rights in many parts of the world culminating in the signing into law by some countries of the West a bill which allows same-sex union, there has been also a deliberate attempt by some lobbyists and gay movements to denigrate and malign those countries, groups and individuals, especially in Africa, who hold a contrary view,” said Father Chris Anyanwu, spokesman for the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

Father Anyanwu made clear that the bishops are not calling for jail terms for homosexuals, as has been reported. What the bishops actually said recently, he emphasized, is that

we reiterate our unreserved condemnation of all acts of homosexuality as sinful and opposed to the natural law of creation. We call on our government to continue to resist the attempt by some external governments and agencies to impose an acceptance of same-sex unions. Nevertheless, we maintain that persons with these orientations should be assisted pastorally, spiritually and psychologically, with respect for their dignity as human persons created in the image and likeness of God.

 

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Further information:

• Still On Same-Sex Union And The Stand Of The Catholic Bishops’ Conference Of Nigeria (Catholic News Service of Nigeria)