LAGOS, Nigeria, December 21, 2023 — In response to the recent release of the “Fiducia Supplicans” declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a statement emphasizing the need for pastoral clarity on the document’s content. The declaration aims to elucidate the diverse forms of blessings permissible in the Catholic Church, addressing a spectrum of nuanced interpretations that have arisen.
The declaration specifically clarifies the types of blessings applicable to individuals and objects within the Catholic Church, extending its consideration to unconventional unions. Notably, the statement addresses blessings for divorced and remarried couples, those in same-sex unions, individuals in polygamous relationships, and those in concubinage, among others.
The CBCN underscores the declaration’s careful distinction between ritual, liturgical, and informal blessings. While liturgical blessings adhere to established Church norms, informal blessings encompass prayers offered outside formal church ceremonies. The document contemplates the extension of informal blessings to all individuals, irrespective of their moral standing, emphasizing that such blessings for those in irregular unions should only take a non-liturgical form to prevent confusion.
Importantly, the declaration reaffirms the Catholic Church’s enduring stance on marriage as an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the generation of children.” It unequivocally asserts that the Church lacks the authority to bestow blessings on irregular unions.
Moreover, the statement emphasizes the intrinsic connection between seeking God’s blessing and the acknowledgment of one’s imperfection. It encourages individuals in irregular unions never to lose hope, urging them to seek God’s grace and mercy while remaining open to conversion.
In conclusion, the CBCN assures the faithful that the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding marriage remain unchanged. It explicitly states that the Church does not entertain the possibility of blessing same-sex unions and activities, citing alignment with divine law, Church teachings, national laws, and cultural sensitivities.
The statement expresses gratitude to priests for accompanying married couples and implores them to uphold the sanctity of holy matrimony. The Archbishop of Owerri, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and the Bishop of Uromi, Donatus A. Ogun, sign off, extending blessings for a Merry Christmas to all.
