Catholic Leaders Decry Samoa Deal, Demand Action

Catholic Bishops Oppose Samoa Deal, Seek Amendment or Withdrawal

Catholic bishops reject the Samoan accord and demand its modification or cancellation...

Nigerian Catholic Bishops reject Samoa agreement, demand modification or cancellation, citing threats to sovereignty and values.

The Federal Government's newly signed Samoa pact has drawn criticism from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which has called on the government to either suggest a change or immediately back out of the pact.

Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN, and Secretary Bishop Donatus Ogun signed a statement titled “Threats to the Sovereignty and Values of Nigeria in the Samoa Agreement,” in which they pointed out that Nigeria had committed to controversial provisions by signing the agreement and could not back out of it without violating the terms.

The CBCN pointed out that many African nations have looked to Nigeria's leadership to stand up against anti-family, anti-life, anti-culture, and anti-African ideals at the UN. They further mentioned that by approving the deal, Nigeria has

The CBCN pointed out that many African nations have looked to Nigeria's leadership to stand up against anti-family, anti-life, anti-culture, and anti-African ideals at the UN. They continued by saying that Nigeria had given up its position as a constant objector to such terminology in international discussions by signing the accord.

The bishops said that Nigeria's long-standing opposition to these concerns was consistent with its choice not to sign the Samoa Agreement in November 2023.

They highlighted that Nigeria's historical attitude has been compromised by signing the pact, making it less firm and consistent.

“The Samoa Agreement essentially gives international law status to sexual orientation and gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, and abortion through its prolific reference to Gender approaches and the phrase Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights,” the clerics said.

They drew attention to the treaty's absence of a definitions section or glossary of words, which are essential to guarantee that all parties understand the same terminology.