The Catholic Church in Nigeria has firmly opposed the Federal Government’s alleged plan to legalize abortion, igniting a heated debate surrounding the sanctity of human life. 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 initiative is reportedly aimed at enhancing access to safe abortion services and reducing maternal mortality rates.
In response, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) officially expressed its dissent through a statement issued on Thursday, signed by Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, Secretary General of the CSN. The statement underscored that legalizing abortion would contradict Nigeria’s Constitution, which upholds the right to life. It specifically cited Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every individual’s right to life and prohibits the intentional deprivation of that life.
The Church contended that instead of promoting abortion, the government should prioritize educating citizens on 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 Catholic Secretariat urged Nigerians to reject the legalization of abortion, reaffirming the sacred dignity and love owed to every individual. The statement declared, “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.”
It further emphasized, “Rather than enthrone the culture of death through the legalization of abortion, the government should place a premium on the sacred dignity and love that should be accorded to the human person, which is guaranteed by natural law and divine commandments and affirmed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The CSN called for human dignity to be included in educational curricula, asserting that understanding and valuing the dignity of others is essential for fostering peace and harmony in society. The Church reiterated its stance against all forms of abortion procedures aimed at terminating the life of a fetus, asserting that the unborn child possesses the right to live and should be protected, rather than subjected to termination by an unjust law. The statement concluded by affirming that every human life must be respected and safeguarded, particularly the most vulnerable in the womb from the moment of conception.