CANONICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BIOMEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN PROCREATION FOR CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This article explores the canonical implications of biomedical advancements in procreation for Christian marriages in Nigeria. It is a statement of fact that an average Nigerian youth go into marriage with the intention, among other intentions, to procreate offspring. There is increased concern and anxiety among couples whose marriages are yet to yield fruits of procreation due to the sterility of one or both of the parties. Some of these couples, especially those who can afford its high cost, make recourse to artificial method of fertilization. With rapid advancements in reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, there is a need to specifically examine the intersections of canonical norms and the magisterium of the Church with the biomedical advancements in procreation. With the aid of descriptive and analytical methods, while providing an overview of the legal and theological considerations surrounding these biomedical advancements within the context of Christian marriages in Nigeria, the article argues that recourse to artificial fertilization method can lead to neglect of some matrimonial obligations relevant to its validity. This article seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of recourse to biomedical advancements in procreation in Christian marriage in Nigeria.