The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) is urging the federal government to regulate the country’s fertility clinics, raising concerns over health risks, ethical issues, and the potential for exploitation.
Speaking at the Second Plenary of the Conference, CBCN President Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji highlighted the dangers of an unregulated fertility industry, noting that while some clinics are run by professionals, many others are operated by unqualified practitioners. This lack of oversight, he said, puts Nigerian couples at risk of financial exploitation, medical complications, and even death.
The Archbishop also expressed concern for young women, including students, who donate eggs to these clinics for minimal financial reward without being fully aware of the potential long-term health consequences.
From a theological standpoint, the Catholic Church in Nigeria reiterated its firm stance against in vitro fertilization (IVF). Archbishop Ugorji emphasized that Catholics are forbidden from participating in the procedure, which the church considers “gravely immoral.”
The church’s position is based on the belief that IVF separates the unitive and procreative aspects of marriage. Furthermore, it often involves the destruction or freezing of embryos, which the church views as human lives with an inherent “right to life.”
The bishops’ message extended beyond fertility clinics to address other pressing national issues. They called on the government to combat “miracle centers,” a term used to describe schools where exam malpractice is rampant during national exams like WAEC and NECO. According to the CBCN, such centers are a threat to the integrity of the education system.
The bishops also raised alarm over severe environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, appealing for urgent action to address oil-related pollution and help restore the livelihoods of affected communities.
The plenary was attended by high-profile figures, including President Bola Tinubu’s representative, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, and the Senate President, underscoring the significance of the issues raised by the Catholic Church.
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