The Lagos Ecclesiastical Province’s Catholic Bishops have all unanimously refused to approve same-sex unions.
The dioceses of Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, and Lagos Archdiocese make up the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province.
Following their plenary meeting on Thursday in Lagos, the bishops announced their stance in a statement signed by their secretary and chairman, Most Rev. Francis Adesina and Most Rev. Alfred Martins, the bishops of Ijebu-Ode and Lagos, respectively.
The clergy said they wholeheartedly agreed with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) stance opposing same-sex union approval.
According to reports, the Vatican issued a historic decision on December 18, 2023, allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, provided that the blessings are not offered at regular church liturgies or rites or in situations involving civil unions or weddings.
According to a letter from the Vatican’s doctrinal office that Pope Francis endorsed, these benefits would indicate that God welcomes everyone rather than legitimize abnormal circumstances.
But opposing opinions and criticism greeted the highest pontiff’s acceptance.
In agreement with the CBCN and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, the bishops declared that they were in favor of endorsing same-sex unions or couples: “We affirm that the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage as the union of a man and a woman in a stable and exclusive relationship, open to bearing children, remains the same. We also affirm the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and urge the faithful to be guided by it.”
