By Charles Igwe
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s reported plan to legalize abortion, expressing deep concern over what it views as a potential violation of the right to life enshrined in the nation’s constitution.
Reports indicate that the Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health is currently considering revisions to sections of the Criminal Code aimed at decriminalizing abortion. Advocates suggest that this move could expand access to safe pregnancy terminations and reduce maternal deaths.
In response, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) issued a statement on Thursday, signed by Secretary General Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, formally rejecting the reported plan. The statement asserts that legalizing abortion contradicts Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects the right to life and prohibits intentional deprivation of life.
The Catholic Church argues 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 this stance through its communiqués, teachings, and official documents.
In its statement, the CSN urged Nigerians to reject any moves to legalize abortion, underscoring the value of every human being. “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 statement read.
The Church emphasized that a “culture of death” should not be promoted under the guise of human freedom, and called for human dignity to be prioritized in the national curriculum. “The Catholic Church and all ethically minded people oppose all forms of abortion procedures whose direct purpose is to terminate the life of a baby in the womb,” the statement continued.
Reaffirming its stance, the Church underscored the right of unborn children to live and to be protected, rather than threatened by “unjust law.” It concluded by asserting, “We believe strongly that every human life must be respected and protected, especially the most vulnerable ones in the womb from the moment of their conception.”
