The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has conducted a mass wedding for 21 couples in Niger State.
While joining the couples in holy matrimony at St. Mark Catholic Church in Nsanji Nkoso, Magama Local Council of Niger State over the weekend, Bishop Yohanna stated that until a couple is joined together in marriage both legally and traditionally (dowry or bride price) and blessed in the church, it is wrong to cohabit.
Most Rev. Dauwa explained that most people had relied more on traditional marriage, which encouraged them to cohabit, adding that they needed to be sure that none of them was under compulsion.
The clergy added, “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.”
Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, stressed that marriage is meant for prepared adults and reminded the couples that marriage is a lifetime commitment that should be built on love and companionship.
Earlier, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Yasak Joshua, while disclosing that the 21 couples had completed their traditional marriage rites, including paying their bride prices, said they were subjected to three months of marriage counselling, which qualified them to be joined in the church.
Rev. Fr. Yasak hinted that the longest-married couple has been together for 24 years, while the youngest-married couple has been together for one year.
Meanwhile, one of the sponsors of the couples, Lydia Ishaya, expressed joy, saying, “I am happy for them, especially with their cooperation, and I pray God continues to bless their marriages.”
Some of the couples expressed their joy, saying that if not for the opportunity given to them, they might not have gotten married even until death.
One of the couples, Mr and Mrs Cyprian Uche, who had been cohabiting for 22 years, said they now have five children, some of whom have graduated from higher institutions, while the remaining ones are currently in secondary school.
Mrs. Cyprian said, “I am happy that my marriage has been blessed now. Ever since I have been a member of the women’s fellowship, I was not eligible to hold any position because I was not married in the church. But now, I feel so excited because we are officially married, and I thank the Bishop for helping us realise the need to do the right thing.”
The following day, the parish witnessed the sacrament of Confirmation for 400 parishioners, conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.
By Bala Yahaya
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