My above article stirred the hornet’s nest in ways I never imagined. I received a torrent of comments through text messages, WhatsApp and several phone calls on the subject which I put down to the calibre of personality to whom the letter was addressed and the sensitivity of the issue for the heightened interest.
A Catholic priest who called me but asked not to be named said “Mallam Iliyasu, this is a very sensitive issue for us in the church now. From the Vatican down to the dioceses we are struggling to cope with the effects of the declaration from the Vatican and if not well handled might result in a major schism in the Church worldwide. It may even come to be like that of Martin Luther in the 15th century which gave birth to protestant churches. I appreciate your interest on the subject, but Bishop Kukah may not be able to respond to you for now.’’
Sure enough up to the time of writing this piece, as the priest had stated Bishop Kukah had not responded. But the issue will not go away as it is one that is of universal import and transcends all faiths.
The same sex issue which is being presented and promoted rather intrusively as a matter of fundamental human rights is viewed in Africa and much of the world outside the West as an assault on one of the core values of humanity. And when the Catholic Church, which is considered as both the father and mother of the Christian religion, which has led for centuries in the condemnation and abhorrence of practices such as homosexuality, turns round not just to encourage but to actually seek to use its hallowed chambers and graces under whatever guise to bless these same practices; there can be no surprises if we try to seek explanations from the likes of Dr Kukah who has established himself as a moral and intellectual pillar not just of the church, but society in general.
And while we await Dr Kukah’s intervention, the debate, however, goes on earnestly as reflected in the following responses to my article.
Re: An open letter to Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Please note that Bishop Kukah is heading the Sokoto Diocese only. He is not the head of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. It is disingenuous of you to task Bishop Kukah on this matter. You may write to the Catholic secretaries to find out what the church in Nigeria thinks on the subject. I do not know why you are in a hurry. The matter must surely be under consideration by the church and a stand will be taken.
A bishop, the head of the Catholic Church in Malawi, has come out strongly against the news from the Vatican, saying it runs counter-current to our African cultures. Unless, for reasons best known to you, you want to pick up issues with Bishop Kukah unjustly on this matter, let the Catholic Church in Nigeria make its stand on the matter known when it has considered.
I am very sure that Bishop Kukah will be a prominent participant in the consideration of the matter by the church. I will advise that you try to be more circumspect in trying to portray people in bad light. That is precisely what you want to achieve, regardless of your attempt to try to show that you take Bishop Kukah in high esteem.
– From Dr Felix Faden, Jos
Thank you for taking on Bishop Kukah on the above matter. Like many Catholics, the pronouncement by the Pope was to us a disaster. I took on many priests and reverend sisters I know immediately the news came out. As expected, they remained loyal to their spiritual father. They advised that I should accept it with the faith of a child.
It was the next day that Catholic Bishop Conference reacted and tried to explain the reasons and theology of Partial and Sacramental Blessings. In the end they pointed out rightly our legal, cultural and social environment in Nigeria. So for now and the foreseeable future, that kind of blessing cannot be done in Nigeria. Most other Catholic communities in Africa have come out with similar rejection of that news from Rome…….
To me this Pope is trying to be different from day one. My problem with him is that he says he wants the Church to be in tune with the times and engage accordingly. At the same time he knows that Africa is the future of the Church as evidence in the growth rate in Africa. Why should a Pope who wants to move with the times not make Africa his priority? I daresay RACISM. He is rushing to please homosexuals because it is mostly a western culture but ignores the feelings of Africa because of his racial inclination.
– TAIWO UMOLU, Lagos
Very incisive write up and good question directed at Bishop Kukah. I will delve into what most Catholics will not want to admit. The Pope has been arrogated powers which only the Almighty has. The Pope is considered infallible in religious matters and doctrines which most other Christians find heretic. Bishop Kukah and his other prelates will be immediately sanctioned by the Catholic Church if they dared to contradict or raise dissent against the Pope…….
The issue of LGBT+ or homosexuality and all such infamies are things that God in several chapters and verses of the Bible has said are some of the most abhorrent practices ever that a man or woman should not engage in. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for these pervasive behaviours.
– BENJAMIN ORUME, Abuja.
You really have a mastery with words and have decisively brought up this vexed issue of the Pope sanctioning the blessing of same sex marriage. (Whatever that means).
You probably have read the Book of Romans. The first two chapters describe how humanity slowly slides away from God’s standards and into the murky waters of worldly decadence.
– BLESSED GOJE, Kaduna
Let me give you a simple reason why Bishop Kukah’s hands are tied. We have a law against same-sex marriage in Nigeria. Hence any option against the law is already null and void. Note that I am not a Catholic but an ardent reader of views like yours.
– NAKAI BIKA MAUNDIS, Yola
Your write up to Bishop M. H. Kukah is a thumb up for you and the society at large.
– TELEMA PENUEL, Port Harcourt.
