ENOUGH Is ENOUGH! Catholic Church Blasts FG Over Alleged Plans To Legalise Abortion [Full Details Inside]
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government’ s reported plan to legalize abortion, igniting a heated debate over the sanctity of human life. This condemnation follows news that the Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health is reviewing parts of the Criminal Code with the aim of decriminalizing abortion. The government’ s intent is said to be focused on increasing access to safe abortions and reducing maternal mortality rates.
On Thursday, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) formally expressed its dissent through a statement signed by Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, the Secretary General of the CSN. The Church argues that legalizing abortion would contradict Nigeria’ s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. They pointed to Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which asserts that every person has a right to life and that no one should be intentionally deprived of it.
The Catholic Church emphasized that instead of promoting abortion, the government should prioritize educating citizens on reproductive health and the importance of preserving human dignity. They stated, ” 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. Enough is enough! There are more important laws to enact. ”
In their statement, the Church called on Nigerians to reject the proposed legalization of abortion, highlighting the need to uphold the sacred dignity of every human being. They argued that the unborn child has the right to live and be protected, not to be killed by unjust laws. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has consistently advocated for the protection of human life through various teachings and documents.
The Church concluded by asserting that it is essential to respect and protect every human life, especially the most vulnerable in society, beginning from the moment of conception.
