Christian Leaders in Nigeria Hail Holy See’s Clarification on Same-Sex Unions

In the statement signed by CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, the church leaders in Nigeria “commend Pope Francis for standing by the scripture that is superior to any civilization.” 

The Holy See’s response is “the position of the Scripture as stated unambiguously in Genesis 9:20-27, Genesis 19:1-11, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:10,” CAN representatives say.

“Whatever law that contradicts these passages of the Bible is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and must be rejected,” they emphasize in their statement obtained by ACI Africa.

The Christian leaders say that they “totally agree” with the Vatican's stand that what is to be blessed needs to be “objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the designs of God inscribed in creation, and fully revealed by Christ the Lord.”

Making reference to CDF’s response, CAN representatives go on to say, “For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stables, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (that is, outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex.”

More in Africa

Catholic Prelates Must “tread path of listening”: Archbishop on Ministry of Bishop in Mission of Church in Africa

Read the article

“We commend the Nigerian Government for resisting the pressure to reverse its anti-same-sex policy and law,” CAN representatives further say in their March 16 statement.

They urge African countries that have approved homosexual unions to “retreat,” adding in reference to homosexuality, “Even the practice is accursed to the animals, we wonder why normal human beings will be practicing it; we condemn it in strong terms.”