86. Safeguarding our authority: The Urgency of Ecumenism
Ecumenism is the most urgent step toward increasing Christian leverage in inter-religious dialogue in Nigeria.
85. Sacramentality of marriage and the juridical-pastoral proposal
The juridical-pastoral proposals do not undermine the sacramentality of marriage because they are about recognising the validity of a customary marriage among the baptised in the Church.
84. Failed marriages in the new proposal
It is inexpedient to compare our need for dispensation from canonical form for customary marriages with those who only have statutory and Church marriage. The contexts differ.
83. A juridical-pastoral approach: The example of the Italian Bishops Conference
I propose a combination of the two approaches
82. Dispensation from canonical form – a pastoral approach
If a dispensation is to be considered and be accessible, the Holy See would grant an indult to the Bishops of Nigeria to grant the dispensation on a case-by-case basis.
81. Customary marriage and Church marriage–the juridical plan
The most convenient way is for the priest to be present at the payment of the bride price.
80. The Canonical form of Marriage
The canonical form is a merely ecclesiastical law and not a divine law. In other words, it was established by the ecclesiastical authority and not by Christ himself.
79. The Church’s Response to Marriage-related Cases
Customary marriages are not contracted for ideological or practical reasons or in rejection of Christian marriage.
78. Did statutory marriage and customary marriage work?
Statutory marriage is incompatible with customary marriage in Nigeria.
77. Church and customary marriage—the challenge
We sometimes erroneously assume that couples exchange consent when the bride presents a horn of palm wine to the bridegroom amidst the dancing.