Same-sex marriage: Pope Francis has not approved it – Bishop Ayah

Emmanuel Atteh

The Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese has debunked claims in some quarters that the Pope has given his paternal blessings for same-sex marriage in the church.

Bishop John Ebebe Ayah made the position of the church known on the rumours making the round that the church has approved same-sex marriage, which he said has become a new normal for a man to get married to a man and vice versa, in his homily during the Uyo Diocesan First Sunday of the Year, which took place at Cardinal Ekandem Seminary Grounds, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo earlier on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Ayah, who said the Pope was being quoted out of context by some media reports and wrongly misunderstood, maintained that the church has different forms of liturgical blessings prescribed by the church authority, adding that the sacrament of Holy Matrimony conferred on the lay people in the church, has its special blessings and not blessing man and man or woman and woman who claimed to be couples.

He said if same-sex marriage were to be allowed in the church, it therefore implies that the Bible would have to be rewritten and the Book of Genesis, where we have the origin of marriage, would have to be amended and probably rearranged to accommodate the new normal and said the church sympathizes with those who have chosen to toe the path of same-sex union, urging those in such erroneous practices and teachings to stop forthwith.

The chief shepherd of Uyo Diocese harped on the need for one to declare his or her stance, when it comes to worshipping God, hence the need to converge as a diocese at the beginning of every year and said the event coincided with the feast of Epiphany, an event when the baby Jesus was officially presented to the three wise men in the manger and the world.

The 24th edition of Uyo Diocesan New Year Prayer and Fasting Assembly with the theme, “Come Let Us Go At Once To Seek The Lord Of Host”, taken from Zechariah 8:21, also featured diaconate ordination of four senior seminarians and installation of one senior seminarian as an acolyte in the church.

Those ordained deacons for Uyo Diocese included Rev. Anthony Joseph Udo (from Ekit Itam II), Rev. Nsuhoridem Pius Umouman (from Ikot Ayan Ikono), Rev. Abasiofonidara Boniface Edward (from Uyo) and Rev. Anthony Innocent Timothy, who hails from Mbak Itam III, while Mr Alpha Emmanuel Effiong (from Affi Uda, Mbo) was installed acolyte.

In his remarks at the colourful event, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who spoke through the immediate past secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, lauded the initiative of the Catholic Church in Uyo Diocese to organize and sustain the yearly programme, meant to bless the people of God at the beginning of every new year and said the State Government will continue to support the church in any way possible.

He made a cash donation on behalf of the first family to support the program, including those who were in his entourage.

Some dignitaries who graced the event were the member representing Ikot Ekpene/ Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr Patrick Umoh, KSJI, the member for Uruan State Constituency, Dr Itorobong Etim and the commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Nsikan Linus Nkan.

Others included the commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Augustine Umoh, the commissioner for Housing, Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Raphael Bassey, the Ntisong Ibibio IV, Obong Pius Okon, the special adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Political Matters, Uyo Senatorial District and the immediate past member for Itu/ Ibiono Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr Henry Archibong, the president of Imabridge Africa, USA, Cecilia Adams, a retired staff of Exxon Mobil, Engr. Ideh  Owodiong among others.