The Catholic Church in Nigeria has expressed strong opposition to the Federal Government's alleged plans to legalize abortion.
This reaction follows reports that the Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health is considering revising sections of the Criminal Code to decriminalize abortion.
The proposed changes aim to expand access to safe pregnancy terminations and reduce maternal deaths.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), through a statement signed by its Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, voiced its disapproval, stating that such a move contradicts the Nigerian Constitution's guarantee of the right to life.
The statement highlighted Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which asserts, "Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be intentionally deprived of that life."
The Church argues that instead of promoting abortion, the government should focus on educating citizens about reproductive health and the dignity of human life.
The CSN emphasized, "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."
Furthermore, the Church reiterated its long-standing commitment to protecting human life, urging Nigerians to reject any measures toward legalizing abortion.
It stressed the importance of recognizing the sacred dignity and love owed to every human being, stating, "The unborn child has the right to live and be protected and not to be killed by the fiat of an unjust law."
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