The Catholic Bishops, through the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), have issued a cautionary statement to Catholics and the broader Nigerian populace concerning the growing use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). They assert that this method conflicts fundamentally with the Church’s ethical principles.
During the inaugural session of the 2025 Second Plenary Assembly held in Akwa Ibom State, CBCN President and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, strongly denounced IVF as morally unacceptable. He underscored the practice’s detrimental effects on human dignity and the sacredness of the marital bond.
“IVF disrupts the inseparable connection between the unitive and procreative dimensions of marital intimacy, which the Church regards as sinful. Moreover, it results in the generation of numerous embryos, many of which are discarded, frozen indefinitely, or utilized for scientific experimentation. Each embryo represents a human life endowed with intrinsic worth and the right to exist,” Archbishop Ugorji explained.
The bishops voiced alarm over the proliferation of fertility centers across Nigeria, particularly those managed by individuals lacking proper qualifications. They warned that such establishments often subject vulnerable couples to financial abuse, health hazards, and the risk of irreversible infertility.
Archbishop Ugorji also drew attention to a disturbing phenomenon involving young women, notably university students, who sell their eggs to these clinics in exchange for modest sums.
“Frequently, these women are unaware of the potential health risks and the ethical implications tied to their decisions,” he noted.
In response, the bishops urged governmental authorities to implement stringent regulations governing the fertility sector.
Nonetheless, Archbishop Ugorji stressed that regulatory measures alone do not render IVF acceptable within Catholic doctrine.
“The Church upholds the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception. Practices that commodify embryos or treat them as mere objects are fundamentally incompatible with our faith,” he affirmed.
Instead, the bishops advocate for Catholic couples experiencing infertility to consider morally sound alternatives such as natural procreative methods and adoption, while trusting in divine providence.
“Christian couples facing the challenge of childlessness are called to embody God’s enduring love and faithfulness,” Archbishop Ugorji encouraged.
Reiterating their dedication to protecting human life at all stages, the bishops reminded the faithful that genuine hope and restoration are found through God, not through medical interventions that undermine human dignity.
