Nigerian Catholic Archbishop Concerned about Rising Trend of Women Exploitation in “fertility” Clinics

“What we are witnessing is a commodification of the human body, where women’s reproductive capacity is treated as a product to be bought and sold. That is ethically and morally wrong,” Archbishop Ugorji said.

The Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri emphasized the moral objections of the Catholic Church to IVF. 

“From the perspective of Catholic teaching, IVF raises profound concerns. It separates procreation from the marital act and involves creating multiple embryos, many of which are discarded, frozen, or used for research,” Archbishop Ugorji told ACI Africa.

He added, “The Church teaches clearly that every human embryo has inherent dignity and a right to life. Treating embryos as disposable is unacceptable.”

While acknowledging the pain of infertility, the Nigerian Catholic Church leader emphasized that good intentions do not justify harmful means. 

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He said the Church stands in compassion with families but urged them to seek alternatives such as adoption or natural medical approaches.

“It is true that many couples long for children, and infertility brings deep pain. The Church recognizes that suffering and stands with such families in compassion. But IVF may appear to offer hope while reducing children to products of technology rather than gifts of God conceived in love,” the CBCN President said.

In another interview with ACI Africa during the same event, Bishop John Ebebe Ayah of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo underscored the need for more efforts in evangelization, as well as support for families, and the welfare of the Clergy. 

Bishop Ayah noted that the Church remains committed to reaching out to Catholics influenced by secularism and Pentecostal movements. 

“We are not sleeping in the Church, which is why we are meeting here now,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader found it unfortunate that economic hardships are pushing Catholics away from Church, saying, “Sometimes, many of these are Catholics get influenced. The people are hungry. They are frustrated.”

Bishop Ayah emphasized the role of the government in tackling economic challenges. 

“We want to address things happening within government. Government should sit up and do their work to provide jobs, provide opportunities for the citizens to have a good living standard,” he said.

Explaining how economic wellbeing is linked with spiritual stability, he said, “Once people eat well and life is okay, they will be settled. But when they are hungry, when they don’t have anywhere to sleep and things are not going well with them, they begin to look for alternatives, even in religion.”

Bishop Ayah also underscored the importance of Priestly formation, vocations, and Clergy welfare. 

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“We look into aspects like seminary training. We look into aspects of the Priest we ordain, how do they fare? How do the people of God take care of them?” he said, and added, “If there is any lack anywhere, the Bishop comes in to supply for that lack.”

He noted that the Church ensures Priests are well supported to carry out their mission. 

“We make sure that they work for God,” the Nigerian Church leader said, and added, “He who works for God, preaches the gospel, and lives by the gospel. So they won’t lack food. They won’t lack the basic things to get them working. Put them on their two feet as they proclaim the gospel. We look into that. We are not sleeping at all,” Bishop Ayah told ACI Africa on September 17.

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.