1. Following the issuance of the Declaration on the Pastoral that means of blessings, “Fiducia Supplicans” (pleading with braveness) by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Fatih, we, the members of the Catholic Bishops Convention of Nigeria (CBCN) (https://CBCN-ng.org), recognise our obligation as Pastors to make clear the content material of the doc, given the assorted nuances of interpretation that it has already been given.
2. The Declaration seeks to make clear the completely different types of blessing that may be given to individuals and objects within the Catholic Church, together with the chance of blessing individuals in irregular unions. Such unions embrace however are usually not restricted to divorced and remarried {couples} whose earlier marriages had not been annulled, these residing in same-sex unions, these in polygamous unions, in concubinage, and many others.
3. The Declaration acknowledges and thoroughly distinguishes between ritual, liturgical, and casual blessings. Whereas ritual or liturgical blessings are imparted in line with the established norms of the Church, casual blessings consult with prayers over individuals who ask for them exterior the liturgy or any formal celebration within the Church. The Declaration gives a consideration of the chance of extending the casual blessing to all God’s kids, regardless of their ethical situation, after they ask to be blessed. Nonetheless, the Declaration insists that the blessing of individuals in irregular unions – and by no means the union itself – can solely take a non-liturgical type to keep away from confusion. It shouldn’t be imparted throughout or in reference to a civil marriage ceremony ceremony or with clothes, phrases, and indicators related to a marriage.
4. The Declaration reiterates the Catholic Church’s perennial educating on marriage as an “unique, steady and indissoluble union of a person and girl, naturally open to the technology of youngsters” and emphatically states that the Church doesn’t have the facility to impart a blessing on irregular unions.
5. The Declaration additionally reinforces the reality about God’s mercy. For one to willingly ask for a blessing demonstrates one’s belief in God and the will to stay in line with God’s commandments. Asking for God’s blessing isn’t depending on how good one is. Imperfection is the rationale for searching for God’s grace. Subsequently, these in irregular unions are invited by no means to lose hope however relatively to ask for God’s grace and mercy whereas remaining open to conversion.
6. In conclusion, the Catholic Bishops Convention of Nigeria assures your entire Folks of God that the educating of the Catholic Church on marriage stays the identical. There’s, subsequently, no chance within the Church of blessing same-sex unions and actions. That will go towards God’s regulation, the teachings of the Church, the legal guidelines of our nation and the cultural sensibilities of our folks. The CBCN thanks all of the Monks for his or her accompaniment of married {couples}, asking them to proceed in all they do to maintain the sacrament of holy matrimony and by no means to do something that might detract from the sacredness of this sacrament.
Could the Lord bless you and maintain you. AMEN! WE WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji Donatus A. Ogun
Archbishop of Owerri Bishop of Uromi
President Secretary
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Catholic Bishops Convention of Nigeria (CBCN).
