Osogbo Catholic Diocese Intensifies Campaign Against Pre-Marital Living Among Youths

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Osogbo Catholic Diocese has stepped up its faith formation efforts this week, focusing on the growing dangers of pre-marital living among youths, especially those in higher institutions. The campaign comes amid concerns that many young men are engaging in cohabitation under the guise of future marriage promises, leading to moral, spiritual, and emotional consequences.

A Call to Uphold Christian Morality

Church leaders in the Diocese have emphasised that pre-marital living contradicts biblical teachings on purity, chastity, and responsible courtship. Citing 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body,” the Diocese warned that harbouring a female partner under the pretence of marriage not only jeopardises moral integrity but also defies God’s commandment on holiness.

Misleading Promises and the Risk of Sin

According to the campaign coordinators, many young women have been deceived by promises of marriage, only to later face disappointment, heartbreak, or single motherhood. The Church referenced Hebrews 13:4, which declares, “Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Priests within the Diocese cautioned that allowing partners to live together before marriage normalises sin, blurs the sanctity of marriage, and weakens the spiritual discipline necessary for a lasting Christian union.

Biblical Foundation for Righteous Living

Quoting 2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart,” Church leaders urged students to prioritise academic and spiritual growth over immoral relationships.

They further highlighted Proverbs 5:3-5, warning that “the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.”

Call to Youths in Higher Institutions

The Diocese encouraged young men to avoid harbouring female partners under any circumstance outside the bond of sacramental marriage. The faithful were reminded that true love is patient and rooted in God’s timing, not in worldly pressure or deceitful promises.

As part of the campaign, the Diocese will host interactive sessions and biblical seminars across campuses in Osun State, equipping students with scriptural wisdom to resist pre-marital temptations.

“Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds,” the Diocese concluded, quoting Romans 12:2 to inspire moral revival among the youth.

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