Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops Speak Out on Controversial EU Agreement
By Paul Samasumo – Vatican City
In a recent move by the Federal Government of Nigeria to sign the Samoa Agreement, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have expressed their concerns, calling for a careful examination of the Agreement’s implications.
Why the Discord?
The signing of the Samoa Agreement by Nigeria sparked controversy, with Nigerian lawmakers questioning the government’s decision to sign the deal without consulting with them. The Agreement, which aims to foster cooperation between the EU and other nations, has faced criticism for allegedly promoting same-sex relationships.
The Nigerian parliament has launched an investigation into the Agreement following a contentious report in the Daily Trust newspaper.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris has refuted the claims made by the Daily Trust, stating that the report was misleading and intended to sow confusion.
Response from the Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a statement titled “Threats to the Sovereignty and Values of Nigeria in the Samoa Agreement,” condemning the Agreement and urging the government to propose amendments or withdraw from it.
The Bishops express concerns about the potential threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty and values posed by the Agreement’s content, particularly in areas related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and comprehensive sexuality education.
They call for a substantive article to be included in the Agreement to clarify that it does not impose any obligations regarding sensitive issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and sexual rights for children.
Way Forward
The Bishops emphasize the importance of Nigeria taking a lead in proposing amendments to the Agreement to protect its values and interests. They highlight the need for other African countries to follow suit in seeking changes to prevent the Agreement from undermining national sovereignty and cultural values.
If the European Union rejects the proposed Amendment, Nigeria should consider withdrawing from the Agreement, following the example set by South Africa in a similar situation.
