The Catholic Church in Nigeria has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government’s alleged plan to legalize abortion in the country. This condemnation follows reports that the Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health is reviewing sections of the Criminal Code with the intention of decriminalizing abortion. The proposed changes are said to aim at expanding access to safe termination of pregnancies and reducing maternal deaths.
In response, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) released a statement signed by its Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, expressing deep concern over the government’s move. The statement emphasized that legalizing abortion contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
The Church argued that instead of promoting abortion, the government should prioritize educating citizens about reproductive health and the inherent dignity of human life. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has consistently advocated for the protection of human life through various communiqués, teachings, and ecclesiastical documents.
The statement urged Nigerians to reject the legalization of abortion, highlighting the sacred dignity owed to every human being. It read: “Rather than expanding access to safe termination of pregnancy by destroying life, the government should amplify its efforts towards educating the people on the imperatives of the values and dignity of the human person.”
The Catholic Church further asserted that “it is safer to have human dignity included in the curriculum than to work against it in the name of providing access, shrouded in the garb of human freedom.” It stressed that the more society values the dignity of others, the more it can achieve peace and harmony.
In conclusion, the Church reiterated its opposition to all forms of abortion procedures aimed at terminating the life of an unborn child, declaring that the unborn have the right to live and deserve protection from unjust laws. The Church emphasized that every human life, especially the most vulnerable, must be respected and safeguarded from the moment of conception.
