Catholic church rejects alleged FG’s plan to legalise abortion
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has strongly criticised the Federal Government over its reported plans to legalise abortion, igniting debates on the sanctity of human life.
This opposition follows claims that the Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health is considering revisions to sections of the Criminal Code to decriminalise abortion.
The move is reportedly intended to widen access to safe pregnancy terminations and reduce maternal mortality.
In response, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) released a formal statement on Thursday, signed by the Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, firmly opposing the reported plan.
The statement emphasised that legalising abortion would violate Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, pointing to Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution. It asserts that no individual should be deliberately deprived of life.
The Church urged the government to focus on educating citizens about reproductive health and the dignity of life, rather than promoting abortion.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has consistently advocated for the protection of human life through communiqués and teachings.
The CSN called on Nigerians to reject any move to legalise abortion, reinforcing the value of every human life.
“Rather than expanding access to abortion by taking lives, the government should increase its efforts to educate citizens about the dignity of the human person,” the statement reads.
It further stressed that prioritising human dignity, enshrined in natural law and the Nigerian Constitution, should take precedence over promoting abortion.
The Church, along with other ethically-minded individuals, continues to oppose abortion in any form.
It maintains that the unborn child deserves protection and respect from conception, and any law permitting abortion undermines the fundamental right to life.