Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (CBCN) has declared as immoral and sinful, scientific assisted reproductive technology, In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
The bishops in a communiqué at the end of their second plenary meeting in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, between September 11 and 19, said the practice of IVF has a lot of implications on the dignity of human embryos, “which are often wasted in the process.”
The church leaders in the communique by the President of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri Archdiocese, and Secretary, Bishop Donatus A. Ogun (OSA), of Uromi Diocese, regretted that operators of IVF seem to ignore the moral implications of their choices.
“We, therefore, reaffirm the teaching of the Church which regards IVF as gravely immoral because it separates the unitive and procreative aspects of the marital act, a separation which the Church condemns as sinful,” the bishops said.
They however expressed concern “about the pain, struggles, and emotional challenges faced by childless couples,” but restated the Church’s moral position on the appropriate means of procreation.
“We, therefore, encourage adoption of children and use of natural family planning methods and morally based medically assistance,” they added.
Bishops observed with grave concern, the resurgence, among young people, of idolatry, occult practices, and superstitions under the guise of returning to African Traditional Religion.
“These delusive spiritualities exploit the human thirst for meaning but ultimately enslave rather than liberate.
“In the light of the Church’s teaching that true freedom is found in Christ (cf. Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the modern World, Gaudium et Spes, 17), we call on all to help young people to hold firmly to the Gospel and reject ideologies that distort the truth.
“Parents, teachers, catechists, and pastors must accompany them with sound formation, prayer, and credible Christian witness,” the bishops stated.
They regretted that the digital age presents both opportunities and dangers for the children, adding that while information and communication technology serve education, evangelisation, and social development, “its abuse, particularly the misuse of smartphones and other digital devices, corrupt the morals of many young people through pornography, cybercrime, and addiction.”
The bishops called on parents and educators to provide guidance, monitoring, and digital literacy, ensuring that technology serve human dignity rather than destroy it.
The CBCN condemned the use of religion to exploit people, and regretted that some ministers see religion as a means of achieving instant material gain.
“The situation is compounded by the emergence of many charlatans, owners of so-called private ministries and preachers of prosperity gospel who masquerade as modern-day prophets and evangelists.
“In the absence of effective regulations and oversight structures, these ministries operate with impunity,” they said, and appealed to diocesan bishops and major superiors to stand strongly against these unorthodox practices and remind their subordinates of the importance of unwavering fidelity to Catholic doctrines and practice
