The Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council, region 3 weekend staged a pro-life rally to communities in Ojo, in the state in order to sensitize residents on how to promote, defend and protect God given life, by shunning abortion or other activities that negatively impact the dignity of life.
The rally dubbed, ‘With Every Woman for Every Child’, which started at Ojo Barracks bus stop through the market to Onireke/Tedi road and ended at the Holy Trinity Parish Onireke saw the Knights and Ladies distributing fliers with inscriptions such as ‘Stop Abortion’, ‘Let God creation be’, ‘Abortion is the ultimate violence’ and many other bold messages that condemned abortion and destruction of life.
Five out of the six sub-councils of the knighthood namely; Ojo, SatelliteTown, Festac, Amuwo Odofin and Lagos Island council took part in the walk which is one of the core obligations in the Knighthood and a responsibility of Catholics in the society.
They took the rally to major streets at Ojo barracks, creating awareness on abortion, kidnapping, homosexuality, domestic violence, child abuse, terrorism, same sex marriage and contraception, warning people against engaging in them.
The Grand Knight, Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, KSM, Satellite Town Sub-Council, during the Pro-life Walk, Worthy Brother Bernard Nku, told newsmen that the rally is an annual event organised by KSM, Metropolitan Council of Lagos, to promote, defend and protect the dignity of life noting that the philosophy of the Order is that where a man and woman consent to have sex, the result will be a child, a life created by God.
While explaining that nobody has the right to take life, not even mothers, Brother Nku maintained that abortion is murder committed against the unborn child who is a child of God.
“This walk is in promotion of life, anything to support life is what we stand for. We are against abortion, contraceptives, anything that does not support life we are against it because when God created man and woman, He encourages procreation. When man and woman or husband and wife agrees to come together, they should be conscious that the will of God would prevail in that meeting, and that a child or children can come forth. Man or woman must do nothing against that meeting that both of them consented to No matter the economic condition, it is wrong to terminate life to solve a problem.
“Which other gift of God will man not accept willingly, if God brings wealth will man say this is enough?. We assure those who argue that the economy does not favour child bearing that every child comes with his or her own gift from God. God has destined that child to have whatever is needed for his or her support including education. What the Catholic church preaches is that if you need to control birth, there are acceptable traditional ways to do it. For example if the husband’s knows his wife and the wife also makes herself known to her husband in terms of safe period then such man must learn how to discipline his body because if you go contrary and satisfy yourself, what is likely to happen is a child. Therefore, let us not blame it on the economy,” he said.
No to contraceptives, use of condom
Brother Nku further said, “On the use of condom, we don’t even promote the use of condom because it’s against nature. The church doesn’t preach fornication but child bearing which is a gift from God and we can’t run away from it nor introduce other things that do not support life”.
Explaining the role of the family to change any anomaly in the society, Lady of the Knight, President, Amuwo-Odofin sub-council, Worthy sister Nnodum Chima noted that the family has a very big role to play.
She said, “The family is in fact a social institution, and is the first place that values are taught. The power of this institution in influencing the society at large should not be underestimated. The family plays a big role in educating the young children against abortion and teaching them that there is more to life than sexual immorality, and that nothing gives anyone the right to take a life. Mothers have a major role to play. The first classroom is the home and the mother is the first teacher. Do not spare the rod so that you do not spoil the child”.
President, Lagos Island sub-council Worthy Sister Rose Oyiogu, also noted, “God gives life and God takes life, no one is permitted to take life, even his or her own life. In Africa, it is a taboo to take life, once the child is conceived, you have no right to kill it. God will touch people’s hearts to stop abortion, because it is wickedness”.
Quoting from the Book of Isaiah 6:8, Rev Father Franklin Nnamdi blessed the knights before the commencement of the rally and after the walk with the Lenten Retreat Talk titled ‘Here I am, send me’.
