- Enjoins youths to shun abortion, drug abuse
Rev. Fr. Moses Ojobo, OSJ, Associate Priest of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Oke – Afa, Lagos, has further buttressed the Catholic standpoint that abortion is a violation of the Fifth Commandment of God. According to him, human life begins at conception, and the unborn child has the right to life. The cleric made this assertion at the Prolife Seminar by Region 4 of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria (KSM), Lagos Metropolitan Council.
Held recently at St. Peter Catholic Church, Ejigbo, Lagos, the Conference was primarily organised to sensitise the public on the dangers of abortion to human life. Addressing Secondary School students and youths of the Order (YSM), the Catholic Priest urged them to shun abortion as it is a criminal practice and gravely contravenes the moral law. He said, “The Church holds that the unborn child has an inviolable right to life. Abortion is viewed as a direct attack on this right and a violation of the Fifth Commandment prohibiting murder.
The Church condemns direct and deliberate abortion. It is morally unacceptable and a grave violation of the Fifth Commandment prohibiting murder. “The Church’s teachings on abortion are found in various documents, with one of the key references being the “Declaration on Procured Abortion” issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1974. “The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and begins at conception. This belief is drawn from passages in the Bible and traditional Christian teachings. “Abortion is seen as contrary to the natural moral law, as it interferes with the God-given purpose of human procreation. “
The Church’s document emphasises the moral gravity of abortion, asserting that it is always a serious moral disorder and can never be justified. It also acknowledges the need for equal respect for the life and dignity of both the mother and the unborn child.” As explained by the Guest Speaker in his paper entitled, “Say no to abortion; say no to drug abuse,” the Church’s prolife commitment is reflected in her compassion for those who so often regret having had an abortion, coupled with her understanding for those who are facing difficult decisions, and her assistance for all who choose life. “While opposing abortion, the Church emphasises compassion and support for women facing challenging pregnancies. Adoption and other life-affirming alternatives are promoted as morally acceptable choices. “Pastoral care is emphasised to address the complexities of individual situations.
Pastors and the faith community are encouraged to provide support and understanding rather than condemnation,” he stated. Fr. Ojobo further disclosed, “The Church extends its prolife stance beyond abortion, advocating for a consistent ethics of life. This includes, opposition to capital punishment, euthanasia, and other threats to human life.” The cleric noted that since abortion is the purposeful murder of an innocent, unborn child, the Church indeed, imposes the most severe penalty of excommunication for this heinous action, but leaving room for forgiveness. According to him, a person who successfully procures an abortion receives this penalty automatically in accordance with the Canon Law. Hear him, “The Church imposes the penalty of excommunication on those who procure a successful abortion, with certain conditions outlined in canon law.
However, the Church also stresses the availability of God’s forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation for those who sincerely repent.” Fr. Ojobo advised the youths to shun social vices, including drug abuse, highlighting health consequences which include, severe health implications contributing to a range of physical and mental health disorders. “Health risks may include, cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems, liver damage, infectious diseases (due to needle sharing), and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Fr. Ojobo harped on sanctity of life, stating that abortion and drug abuse are prevalent issues that keep worrying critical minded persons within the society.
and Worthy Sister Jane Iwegbu, President, LSM, Akowonjo Sub-Council
He said though the doctrine and teaching may vary, but when it comes to abortion, life is a gift given to humans to nurture, preserve, protect and cherish, and not for them to take it. According to him, “if life has been given, it ought to be nurtured and preserved. And so, the implication for a statement like this would mean that there is no such thing as abortion as it were, because it would also give an extended implication of saying, you are an anti-lifer and not a pro-lifer.” Fr. Ojobo said drug abuse is another issue that cannot be waved aside with the left hand, even if people argue that these substances accompany life and to keep people in check. He said things become issues when they are abused, adding that the hard drugs that the society frowns at also have their benefits. He noted that if drugs are misused, it becomes a concern to be engaged with.
According to him, the youths as well as adults need to be conscientised on the reality of the ills of drug abuse in the society, and made to understand that life is fragile, transient and short lived. He added that once the people come to terms with all of this reality, it helps them to live well and to pay attention to their lifestyle. The priest advised parents to ensure they do things right on the home front so that what they infuse into the society will also be good products.
He said when the right things are not done, or are haphazardly done, under the pretense of one trying to guide their self-worth, position in church, position within the locality, self-respect and all that, at the detriment of the life they ought to protect, then, there is a problem. In his words: “Regardless of one’s societal relevance, societal leaning, family background, and all of that, first thing first, life must be protected. So, if you have factors militating on your protection of life, then you must try to avoid that. So, lesser evil, acceptance, taking responsibility for what has happened, and embracing the reality as it were.”
…We are targeting the youths to avoid them being victims of these vices
By Constaincia Uruakpa
Meanwhile, Chief (Sir) Odinaka Iwu, Grand Knight of Ejigbo Sub-council and Coordinating Grand Knight of Region 4, disclosed that the programme is holding simultaneously in all the Sub-councils in Lagos where people, especially the youths who are more vulnerable to abortion and drug abuse, are sensitised on the ills of the menace. The Grand Knight said all the societal evils are interrelated and the Knights and Ladies are saying no to drugs, no to abortion, no to freestyle living, moral decadence, among other societal evils.
He reiterated that they are targeting the youths so that they can be exposed to the realities on ground and to avoid being victims of these vices. He said that once a child has been exposed to the lecture, there is the guarantee that he or she will not be lured into societal vices. He added that the adults too have one or two things to take home from the exposition, which he said is a wakeup call for everyone. The Region comprises Ejigbo Sub-council, Idimu Sub-council, Akowonjo Sub-council, Isolo Sub-council and Mathar Christi Sub-council.
