Catholic Women Leader in Nigeria Cautions against Divorce, Says “no one should intervene destructively in a marriage”

Abuja, 11 March, 2025 / 4:32 PM

The National President of Zumunta Mata Katolika, a Catholic Women's group predominantly from the Northern part of Nigeria, has expressed concern over the high rate of divorce in the West African nation.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a one-day sensitization program for Zumunta Mata Katolika in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), Patricia Daniel lamented that the sacred institution of marriage is being undermined.

“We are losing our sense of the sacred. Marriage is not just a social contract; it is a sacred covenant before God. But today, secular influences have made people disregard its sanctity,” Patricia told ACI Africa on March 8.

She added, “A man and a woman unite in marriage, and it is a bond that should last until death. But today, many couples separate within months because they do not place God at the heart of their union.”

“No one should intervene destructively in a marriage. The only one allowed into the center of your marriage is Jesus Christ. If you let Him in, despite the challenges you face, He will provide,” Patricia said.

She acknowledged with appreciation the efforts of the Church in promoting strong marriages and attributed the erosion of family values to “immense” negative societal influence.   

“The Church is doing its best, but the pressure from society is immense. Look at what is portrayed on television and what happens on the streets. Families no longer uphold values, and even in schools, children are taught to cheat and bribe their way through,” the President of Zumunta Mata Katolika in Nigeria told ACI Africa. 

She called for a revival of moral values and a return to traditions that upheld the dignity of marriage. She said, “Marriage is not a temporary relationship that can be discarded at will. It is an institution ordained by God and must be given the dignity it deserves.”

“Even in our local cultures, marriage was treated with deep reverence. We need to reclaim that sense of responsibility and dignity,” Patricia said, adding that traditionally, “marriage was not taken lightly; it was sacred. We need to reclaim that sense of responsibility and dignity.”