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Same-sex Marriage: Nigerian Priest Defends Pope Francis, Netizens React

Published

2 years ago

December 19, 2023

Editor

A Nigerian Catholic priest identified as Father Ugochukwu Ugwoke has defended Pope Francis after the Catholic Church head gave permission to blessing same-sex marriage.

Punch Metro reported on Monday that Pope Francis officially granted priests permission to bless same-sex and “irregular” couples, under certain circumstances.

However, the Vatican said blessings should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.

While throwing his weight behind this development, Father Ugochukwu, via his X, formerly Twitter handle wrote on the title, ‘HAS POPE FRANCIS CHANGED THE CHURCH’S TEACHING ABOUT MARRIAGE?

He noted that though the topic on same-sex marriage is a sensitive one, laws in are divided into three adding that the one Pope Francis can changed he has changed.

Father Ugochukwu wrote, “There has been a whole lot of confusion since the publication of Vatican Document “Fiducia supplicans” in which Pope Francis said that priests can bless same-sex couples. The confusion is quite anticipated and understandable because the topic of same-sex union is a sensitive one.

“But here is the thing. All the laws and regulations in the Catholic Church may be divided into three kinds: 1) Those that the Church has no power to change, never has changed and never will change; 2) Those that she has the authority to change, but most probably never will change; 3) Those that she can change, has changed, and may change again according to the circumstances of a given period of time.”

Speaking on the first type of law, he said the there are two types of law the Catholic Church cannot change -natural moral laws and positive divine law.

The cleric said, “Under the first type of laws, there are two kinds of laws that the Catholic Church has no authority to change or tamper with in any way, that she never has changed and never will change. They are natural moral laws and positive divine laws.

“A good example of natural moral laws is the Church’s teaching regarding marriage as a union between a man and a woman. As a natural moral law, this teaching is universal, unchanging, and unchangeable. Over such laws, the Catholic Church headed by the Pope, has no authority other than that of manifesting how clearly they stand out in human nature and reiterating them to the end of time. She does not consider such matters open to change/dispute or subject to the votes of a majority of the people, because God has decided these things once and for all in the act of creation.

“So, if you think that blessing of same-sex couples will lead to the eventual endorsement and approval of same-sex marriage by the Catholic Church, I want to tell you that such will never happen without the Church running into the risks of schism. Same-sex marriages are sinful and can never be approved. But then, while the Church rejects same-sex union and considers it disordered, she does not condemn same-sex couples.”

Ugwoke’s comment has since drawn reactions on social media.

@ugoBuUgo said, “while the Church rejects same-sex union and considers it disordered, she does not condemn same-sex couples.”

This is the line I think we should emphasize more on.

These couples are humans like us. And if Jesus didn’t condemn sinners, who are we to do so.
Thanks Padre.

Another user who asked the Church not to confuse people on same-sex marriage @hesavictor231 “What are you saying, no one has right to judge them but the church. But the church must cease from trying to confuse us, what do they mean by they don’t condemn them? It means they don’t condemn the act.”

Also reacting, @ogoo_mariana @I think the pope should have just said ‘pray for same sex couples to see God’s light and come to repentance’ and not Bless them. To bless simply means to approve, besides in one of the published documents years ago I remember him saying ‘God does not bless sin’ when he was asked.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.