JOHN SMEATON, DIRECTOR OF SPUC: Bishops everywhere should follow the Nigerian bishops' lead in defence of families

Friday 31 January 2014

Bishops everywhere should follow the Nigerian bishops' lead in defence of families

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama

The Catholic bishops of Nigeria have thanked Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's president, for signing into law the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2011, which prohibits same-sex marriages, civil partnerships, and the promotion of homosexuality. The media statement from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria describes the new law as:

"as a right step in the right direction for the protection of the dignity of the human person".

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, president of the bishops' conference, commended President Jonathan for his:

"decision...not to bow to international pressure in the promotion of unethical and immoral practices of same sex union and other related vices"

and spoke of:

"the conspiracy of the developed world to make our country and continent, the dumping ground for the promotion of all immoral practices, that have continued to debase the purpose of God for man in the area of creation and morality, in their own countries."

As a pro-life leader, as a parent and as a Catholic, I am very grateful for the Nigerian Catholic bishops' defence of families. Standing up against the worldwide homosexual agenda is crucial for the protection of children. SPUC has produced a paper about the impact that same-sex marriage will have on schools. Sadly many Catholic schools are also likely to be open to the homosexual agenda. Bishops around the world should follow the Nigerian bishops' lead and speak out for strong policies against the subversion of the truth and meaning of human sexuality.

May I urge readers to email Nigeria's Catholic bishops to thank them for their witness? Please email His Grace Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, via the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria csnabuja@cbcn.org

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About Me

I became involved in SPUC after graduating, when I established a branch in south London in 1974. I have worked full-time for SPUC for 42 years. I became chief executive of SPUC in the UK in 1996, having been general secretary since 1978. I was elected vice-president of International Right to Life Federation in 2005. At UN conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and Rome, I helped coordinate more than 150 pro-life/pro-family groups resulting in pro-life victories in Cairo, Istanbul and Rome. I was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where I graduated in English Language and Literature. I qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. I am married to Josephine. We have a grown-up family and we live in north London.