BY   JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA
LAGOS almost came to a standstill recently as the Knights of Saints Mulumba-KSM of the Catholic Church, Lagos, took to the streets to campaign against anti-life practices such of abortion, gay practice, and use of contraceptives among others.

Organised as part of KSM’s pro-life activities, the rally which took off from the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Omole phase 1, lasted for over four hours.

Doctor Iloma Bazuwaye, Supreme Physician of the KSM, Lagos, did not mince words as he explained to reporters the need for the society to shun abortion.

“God gave us life and we should all protect it. As a medical doctor, I want to point out that there is no reason for any abortion to take place, even in the case of rape or any other unexpected occurrence. Abortion may only be necessary when the health of the person involved is threatened”, he stressed.

Advising young women on the issue, he said, “It is better to stay clear of abortion because even if you carry it out successfully, it leaves some complications that could affect procreation later on in life.”

Disclosing that pro-life activity is one of the tenets the KSM, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna, the Lagos metropolitan grand Knight of the Church, also told journalists about the imperative of the rally: “Pro-life promotes all activities that are meant to protect life. It goes against all activities that do not protect life.

We use pro-life to campaigns against abortion, gay marriage, use of contraceptives, and lesbianism among other anti-life practices. We create awareness on the need to protect lives, organize rallies every March 25 of every year, and we also organize lectures for students among other things.

Last year, we organized lectures for over 2000 schools, making the students there to realize that life is total and sacred; and should be protected. That is also our motto and our message.

Adding that the activity has been of tremendous success globally, Ikemefuna said: “

However, he admitted that there have been challenges in carrying out the campaign. “One of our challenges is the erosion of our cultural values. Our values as Nigerians have been westernized.

Protection of human life

“Thus, some find it hard to accept our advocacy for protection of human life through shunning abortion, and use of contraceptives among others. But the truth is that there is nothing like unwanted pregnancy. Every conception is God’s gracious gift to mankind, and should be protected.

Ikemefuna therefore reiterated the need for singles to dissuade from premarital sex, adding, “…and if for any reason pregnancy occurs, either between married couples or singles, it must be preserved. We need to control ourselves. We have to be sexually disciplined. We cannot continue to blame God for the poverty caused by the procreation of too many children.”