Lagos, Ogun Catholic Bishops Reject Blessing Of Same-Sex Unions

The endorsement of same-sex marriages has been overwhelmingly rejected by the Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province.

The Archdiocese of Lagos, the Dioceses of Ijebu Ode and Abeokuta make up the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province.

Following their plenary session in Lagos on Thursday, February 8, the bishops expressed their position in a communiqué signed by their secretary and chairman, Most Rev. Francis Adesina, the bishop of Ijebu-Ode, and Most Rev. Alfred Martins, the archbishop of Lagos.

The clergy claimed that they wholeheartedly agreed with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) stance opposing same-sex union approval.

Read Also: LGBTQ Blessings: Pope Francis Says That Africans Are A “Special Case”

Aligning with the position of the CBCN and that of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar concerning the blessing of homosexual unions or same-sex couples, the bishops said: “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.”

On December 18, 2023, the Vatican issued a historic decree permitting Catholic priests to bestow blessings to same-sex couples, provided that the blessings are not offered during regular church ceremonies or rituals or in relation to civil unions or marriages.

According to a paper from the Vatican’s doctrinal office that Pope Francis approved, these blessings would indicate that God embraces everyone rather than legitimise odd circumstances.

Pope Francis’ endorsement, though, drew criticism.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli