Daily Chronicle
The Bishop of Yola Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza has cleared the air over the controversy that trails a church ruling which declared that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples.
In an interview with newsmen at the end of Christmas mass on Monday, the Bishop said such blessing does not equate to approving same sex marriage noting that it was not in the character or spirit of the church to approve same sex marriage.
“The church has not done that in history, the church is not going to do it now. The church believes marriage is only between man and woman,” he said.
He noted that there is nothing new in the pronouncement because the church didn’t give express blessing to same sex marriage.
“The church didn’t say you can go and bless same sex couples blessing is not reserved to certain people and it is not a solemnization of marriage. Even an armed robber can ask me to bless him if he is going to be executed.
“Whether same sex or whoever comes to me individually as a person and ask for my blessing probably that blessing may change that person for the better. So blessing is not reserved for selected persons. But it is not presiding over their wedding, the church does not do that,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to maintain a positive spirit despite the socio-economic travails bedeviling the country noting that God will remain in charge of our affairs.
“Despite the economic challenges and the security challenges people should not lose hope. Emmanuel is with us, God is with us definitely things will not continue the way they are going. We believe things will be better,” he said.
Culled from Factcheck News