Nigerian Catholic priest Reverend Father Kelvin Ugwu has sparked a heated online debate after publicly explaining what the Catholic Church classifies as sins against the Sixth Commandment You shall not commit adultery.”
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In a widely shared Facebook post, Fr. Ugwu emphasized that the Church’s teaching on this commandment extends far beyond marital infidelity and covers a range of sexual‑moral issues.
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What the Church teaches
Fr. Ugwu listed masturbation, lust, contraceptive use, and assisted reproductive technologies such as in‑vitro fertilization (IVF) as examples of actions the Church formally considers sins under the Sixth Commandment.
Catholic doctrine teaches that the Sixth Commandment governs all sexual morality, including any sexual act outside of a sacramental marriage, as well as thoughts and desires that deliberately violate chastity.
Masturbation, certain forms of contraception, and IVF are seen as “disordered” because they separate the unitive and procreative dimensions of sex, which the Church holds should remain intrinsically linked.
Why his post stirred controversy
His post has ignited discussion because it brings into the open teachings that many Catholics know only partially or experience as personally difficult. Some users have welcomed his clarity, viewing it as a straightforward reminder of Church doctrine, while others have pushed back, arguing that the Church’s stance on contraception and fertility treatments is out of step with modern reproductive realities and women’s health needs. Fr. Ugwu’s intervention thus highlights the ongoing tension between traditional Catholic sexual ethics and the lived experiences of many believers in Nigeria and beyond.
The post has drawn mixed reactions from social media users, and modern social practices.
Read below…
”Commandment Number SIX
“Thou shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14)
This commandment is rooted in holiness, chastity , fidelity and the proper use of human sexuality according to God’s design.
The Church does not reduce this commandment merely to adultery between married people. It covers the entire moral life of human sexuality: thoughts, desires, actions, relationships, marriage, modesty, dignity of the body, and respect for persons.
Here are the list of some of the sins that fall into this commandment.
1. Lust
The disordered desire for sexual pleasure. Examples: fantasizing sexually about someone, or deliberately entertaining impure thoughts, or reducing another person to an object for pleasure.
2. Masturbation
The deliberate stimulation of one’s sexual organs for sexual pleasure.
3. Pornography
The displaying or viewing of sexual acts to produce sexual excitement.
4. Fornication
Sexual intercourse between unmarried persons.
The Church teaches that sexual union belongs properly within marriage because sex signifies: total self-giving, lifelong fidelity, openness to children.
5. Adultery
Sexual relations where at least one person is married to someone else.
6. Divorce and Remarriage
The Church distinguishes between civil divorce and sacramental marriage.
A valid sacramental marriage is considered indissoluble. If you are sacramentally married, and it is valid, even if you get divorced from the court for your civil marriage, any sexual relationship outside the person you are validly married to sacramentally is considered adulterous.
7. Contraception
Artificial actions intended to prevent conception during sexual intercourse. This also includes pills, sterilization and condom.
8. Homosexual Acts
Sexual acts between persons of the same sex are considered contrary to natural law and a disorder.
9. Rape
Forced sexual violation of another person.
10. Incest
Sexual relations between close relatives where marriage is forbidden.
11. Sexual Abuse of Minors
The Church teaches this is a grave evil and crime. This includes: molestation, exploitation, grooming, coercion.
12. Prostitution
The selling of sexual acts for money or compensation.
13. Seduction and Scandal
The Church condemns: intentionally leading another person into sexual sin, abuse of authority for sexual purposes, manipulation, exploitative relationships.
“Scandal” in Catholic theology means encouraging others into sin.
14. Immodesty
Behavior, dress, speech, or actions that intentionally provoke sexual temptation or degrade dignity.
15. Voyeurism and Sexual Exploitation
These include: spying on naked persons, secret recordings, revenge pornography, coercive sexual behavior, trafficking.
16. Artificial Reproductive Practices
The church is against IVF, sperm donation, surrogacy, embryo destruction.
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