Canon Lawyers of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province Meet in Awka
By Michael Nnebife
Polygamy is a negation of the unitary ideal of marriage stands out as one of the oppressive structures of women in Nigeria-Africa, for it is not only devoid of complete self-donation to any of the wives, but equally goes against the well-being and dignity of women as persons.
This, among other striking points, was the submission of a jurist and formator at Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, Rev Fr Titus IK. Nnabugwu, to the professionals of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria, Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, when they converged at Archbishop Albert Obiefuna Retreat Centre, Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday 13th March, for their 2024 Provincial Seminar.
According to the 2024 Seminar Coordinator and Associate Judicial Vicar of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rev Fr Francis Chidume, the seminar examined the advantages and disadvantages of polygamous marriage in Nigeria.
Presenting his paper, entitled ”Marriage in African Society and Culture: Challenges of Polygamy in Nigeria”, the resource person, Rev Fr Nnabugwu, X-rayed the concept of marriage in Africa with particular emphasis on polygamy as an aspect of marriage in Nigeria and its attendant challenges.
He said, among others, ‘In polygamous marriage in Nigeria, there is always the challenge of existence of interpersonal conflicts, disagreements, unhealthy rivalries and competitions among wives.
‘A situation of one wife being the favourite of the polygamist husband at the expense of the others is always a challenge to the polygamous marriage.
‘Such unfair treatment and favoritism usually cause some bitter animosities, hatred and endless quarrels between the less-favoured wives and the beloved one,’ he said.
He cited some Catholic authorities, such as Archbishop Stephen Ezeanya and Hilary Okeke, describing Christian men who relapsed into polygamy, or baptized women who became second wives as people in irregular marriages who were not allowed to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
‘Those in irregular marriages are public sinners who might not be given an Ecclesiastical funeral.
‘The most obvious effect of irregularity of marriage is an exclusion from the sacrament of reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.
‘This clearly shows that the Church frowns at and rejects polygamy,’ the jurist stated.
He further argued that fathers of the Vatican II Council even implicitly equated polygamy with the plague of divorce.
According to him, African women theologians were of the opinion that the practice of polygamy was inhuman and needed to be discouraged by both the Church and society.
‘The Church in her opposition to polygamy maintains that polygamy does not accord with the moral law, and radically contradicts marital communion, as it is contrary to the equal personal dignity of men and women who are meant to give themselves to each other in marriage with a love that is total and exclusive,’ he stated.
Rev Fr Nnabugwu further argued that the reasons adduced by many traditional African societies, including Nigeria, in practicing polygamy, such as the need to have many children and many wives to work in the farms, were no longer sustainable as a result of the changing economic circumstances, especially the transition from traditional society to the modern one.
In an interview with Fides, the National Vice-president, Canon Law Society of Nigeria, and Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Awka, Rev Fr Hilary Odili Ezenwa, expressed the hope that the annual seminar would go a long way in broadening the views of the lawyers about the applicability of canon laws in different contextual situations Catholics and Nigerians at large, found themselves, in a country with many cultures.
Earlier in his remarks, Rev Fr Ezenwa welcomed the canonists and wished them journey mercies as they returned to their different dioceses.
In an interview with Fides, one of the participants and Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Enugu, Rev Fr Dr Humphrey Emeka Nwoye, described the seminar as a great success and enlightening.
In a vote of thanks, the Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Abakaliki, Rev Fr Charles Otu, and Rev Sr M. Emenike from the Diocese of Awka, appreciated the resource person for what they termed his rich intellectual presentation, which, they believed, had nourished the minds and the spirits of the canonists canonically.
They also extended their word of appreciation to all the participants for their inputs and contributions.
The seminar attracted the presence of no fewer than 20 canon lawyers of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province.
