•I can’t assess Tinubu; you can see that in the cries, pained faces of Nigerians

Amidst the controversy generated by Pope Francis’ alleged permission that the Catholic Church should bless same-sex marriage, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has refuted such claims, insisting that the Catholic Pontiff never gave permission that the church should bless same-sex marriage.

In this exclusive interview with Saturday Sun, the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) explained that the document, ‘Fiducia supplicans’ issued by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith upon which the Pope based his statement “says the exact opposite.”

The former President  of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) further explained that despite heavy pressures from the homosexual lobby in the Western nations, some even in high levels of the church, the Pope has refused to bow down to their pressures.

Onaiyekan who also took a look at the state of the nation, said that the lifestyle of government officials, elected and appointed, is not sustainable. The Kabba, Kogi State-born respected Archbishop concluded that unless something effectively is done and urgently too to arrest the negative trend, something will give in at some point, and the entire system will collapse. He spoke with Aidoghie Paulinus

In the past few days, there have been hues and cries all over the world, especially among Christians, especially Catholics. Pope Francis’ purported permission that the church should bless same-sex marriage is generating controversy everywhere. What actually is the Vatican saying?

Pope Francis did not (in capital letters) give permission that the church should bless same-sex marriage. The document says the exact opposite; that homosexual unions do not qualify as marriage and should never be blessed as if they are married. This is repeated several times in the document.

If the pope didn’t give the church permission to bless same-sex marriage, what then did the pope say?

The Pope said there are many kinds of blessings. There is the nuptial blessing that is only for a valid Catholic marriage between a man and a woman, both fit to marry. This cannot be accorded same sex couples.

There are other simple blessings which we give to whoever requests it, no matter their marital status, even non-Catholics. This includes homosexuals, who can be blessed as individuals.  But their union cannot be blessed, since for the church,  such a union is sinful. You can bless the sinner, but not the sin. This should be clear enough.

The issue of same-sex marriage is viewed by many as a Western way of life and un-African. Don’t you think the Pope’s decision seems as if he is bowing to Western pressure?

Despite heavy pressures from the homosexual lobby in the Western nations, some even in high levels of the church, the Pope has refused to bow down to their pressures.

For the church in Africa, what does this new approach by the Pope means to the faith of the people?

For the Church in Africa, on this matter, there is no “new approach.” Catholic doctrine has remained unchanged. Incidentally, this is also in line with our African culture. Here, we are spiritually superior to the so-called modern Western culture.

The late Pope John Paul 11, now Saint Pope John Paul, once said Africa is the future hope of the church. Don’t you think it is time for an African to take over the Chair of Saint Peter after Pope Francis?

It is not about an African taking over the Chair of St. Peter. A Pope is a pope, no matter where he comes from. The next Pope may well come from Africa, but NOT by lobbying or “taking over power.” That is not how the Church of Christ is organised.

The Supreme Court has finally laid to rest contestations over the rightful winner of the 2023 presidential election. You were reported to have said that it is only after the Supreme Court has ruled on the matter that you will accept Bola Ahmed Tinubu as your president. Why have you not congratulated President Tinubu?

After the Supreme Court judgement, I made a public statement in my homily in the Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, and gave it wide publicity.  In it, I respected the ruling, calling on all Nigerians to accept Tinubu as our President. I have had no cause to pay him a congratulatory visit, and he has not invited me to any of his occasions. Rather, I challenged him to settle down and do the work that he has so ardently struggled for. Meanwhile, I assure him of our prayers for success – for the sake of Nigeria, to the greater glory of God.

It is almost seven months since President Tinubu was sworn in. What is your assessment of the steps taken by President Tinubu so far?

I am sorry that I have no comment on any assessment of his performance so far, beyond what we all see in the pained faces of Nigerians, in their cries and laments, and in the generally caustic publications in the media, both social and regular.

What, in your opinion, should the president do differently to make life better for Nigerians in 2024

The president should know what to do to make life better for Nigerians. If he has no plans to make life better for Nigerians, why was he anxious to be president? Nigerians are asking only for what they deserve; a basic level of livelihood in terms of food, security, work, health care, education for the youth, etc. The government should provide this.

The National Assembly, particularly the lawmakers, are usually criticized for living ostentatious lifestyles at the detriment of Nigerians. Are you of the opinion that it should be reformed?

The government officials, elected and appointed, living far above our national means, has been with us for many years. It is only getting worse by the day. It is not sustainable. Unless something effectively is done – and urgently too – to arrest the negative trend, something will give in at some point, and the entire system will collapse. As a bishop, I keep praying for our nation.