Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo has issued a strong call to Catholic women to protect the unborn and kick against homosexuality, lesbianism, transgender activities as well as other anti-life and anti-family tendencies, gaining popularity in the country. The Bishop of Oyo Diocese made this assertion recently while delivering his keynote address at the Holy Mass of the 27th Seminar and Humanitarian Launch organised by the Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria, Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province at St. Paul Pastoral Centre Aawe, Oyo State. Describing women as the backbone of the family, Church and communities, he commended them for “providing care, support and nurture for families and most importantly, cooperating with the grace of God.”
Most Rev. Badejo said, “Your calling as Catholic women and mothers must extend to the protection of the unborn, protection of the right ordering of human sexuality, standing firm against homosexuality, lesbianism, transgenderism and the like, learning and teaching others about the evil of artificial family planning, contraception, prostitution, divorce, so-called single parenthood, abortion and all anti-life, anti-family tendencies of today. “The seed of some of these are sown in the very insidious “Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) which destroys the world view of children right from nursery and elementary schools. All these, not forgetting the current menace of drug addiction and abuse among us. “
Summarily, the dignity of women and the protection of the family in society is a function of the culture of life and an antidote to the contemporary culture of death, which bothers all sane humanity.” Speaking on the theme of the Seminar tagged, “Protection of the Family: The Dignity of the Women in the Society (Nation)”, he noted that the dignity of the women and the family are key parameters in the theme which are two sides of the same coin. Bishop Badejo added, “When God created women. The task he gave her and man was “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen 1:28). It would seem that among all other tasks God gave to women, the family and its welfare is paramount.
What else does dignity mean except to respond to the purpose of one’s being, to be the best of what God made one to be? The validity of this thinking is confirmed by the fact that Mary, our Mother, found her dignity in her being the mother of Jesus and living completely as such.” The prelate urged Catholic women to respect one another, irrespective of their social status. He said, “As a corollary that will give leverage to your demand for respect for the dignity of women, I recommend that you too among yourselves respect one another regardless of age, status, caliber, tribe or qualification. “Mary gave us a good example of this when she, young and vibrant visited the old, “expired” woman, Elizabeth, who reciprocated by honouring her as “mother of my Lord.”
