The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has conducted a mass wedding for 21 couples in Niger State.
The ceremony took place at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Nsanji Nkoso, Magama local government area on Saturday.
Bishop Yohanna, who is the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, emphasized the importance of legal and church-recognized marriage, stating that cohabitation without proper marriage is wrong.
He noted that many couples had relied solely on traditional marriage rites, which encourage cohabitation without formal recognition.
” Most of the people had relied more on traditional marriage which encourages them to cohabit. And we needed to be sure too that none of them was under compulsion.
“We have to encourage them to do what is right, especially as Catholics. With this blessing of marriage, these twenty one couples are now legally and officially married,” the cleric noted..
The bishop encouraged the couples to build their marriages on love, companionship, and commitment while reminding them that marriage is a lifetime commitment.
Also, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Yasak Joshua, revealed that the couples had completed their traditional marriage rites, including paying bride prices, and underwent three months of marriage counseling before the church ceremony.
Several couples expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that without the opportunity provided, they may have remained unmarried for the rest of their lives.
One of the couples, Mrs Cyprian Uche, who had been cohabiting for 22 years and have five children was filled with joy, stating that she can now hold positions in the women’s fellowship since her marriage has been blessed.
The following day, Sunday, Bishop Yohanna administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 400 parishioners.
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