Nigerian bishops tell synod in Rome views on same-sex unions ‘misunderstood’

The president of the Nigerian bishops conference has denied reports that the country’s Catholic bishops supported its government’s criminalisation of same-sex marriage.

The position of the Nigerian bishops on the issue had been “grossly misunderstood,” Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama told a press briefing at the Vatican yesterday.

The briefing was in conjunction with the continuing extraordinary synod of bishops at which Archbishop Kaigama is a participant.

In an open letter last January, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on making participation in a same-sex marriage a crime punishable with 14 years imprisonment.

Homosexuality was already a criminal offence in Nigeria, liable for up to 14 years in jail.

Controversial letter

The Nigerian bishops described the measure as “a right step in the right direction for the protection of the dignity of the human person” and commended Mr Jonathan for what they said was a “courageous act, in spite of pressures from some international communities”.

The letter was written by Archbishop Kaigama who described the legislation as “a bold and clear indication of the ability of our great country to stand up for the protection of the highest values of the Nigerian and African cultures around the institution of marriage and the dignity of the human person, without giving in to international pressure to promote unethical practices of homosexual unions and other related vices”.

In Rome yesterday, Archbishop Kaigama said "the Catholic Church respects all human beings and believes all are created in the image and likeness of God".

He said “on the basis of culture we in Africa believe marriage is between a man and a woman and biologically we believe that is what God created man and woman for. That does not mean we hate people of another orientation.”

“We do not support criminalising people of a different orientation. The Catholic Church has been to the forefront in defending human rights including people of a different orientation. We do not throw away any person. We don’t punish them, we embrace them,” he said.

Coinciding with the opening of the extraordinary synod, the Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors has held its third meeting since being set up last December by Pope Francis.

It has recommended to the pope that its membership be expanded so it is more representative of the Catholic world.