International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: The publication of the Vatican Declaration Fiducia Supplicans (Same-Sex Blessing Declaration) in December 2023 generated widespread public debate and misconceptions, particularly the belief that Pope Francis and the Catholic Church had approved same-sex marriage. These misconceptions were more pronounced in Nigeria, where religious and socio-cultural values strongly oppose same-sex unions. This study examined the impact of Catholic Church public relations in correcting misconceptions surrounding Pope Francis' declaration on the blessing of persons in same-sex unions among residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objectives: The study sought to evaluate the eeffectiveness of the Catholic church Public Relations in addressing misconceptions about the Vatican's Same-Sex Blessing Declaration among Catholic Laity in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised residents of Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. Results: The findings revealed that awareness of the Catholic Church's public relations messages on Fiducia Supplicans was moderately high among respondents. The Church's public relations efforts significantly improved public understanding by clarifying that the declaration did not approve same-sex marriage but permitted non-liturgical pastoral blessings of persons in same-sex unions without altering Catholic doctrine on marriage. Church sermons, pastoral letters, diocesan communications, official websites, and social media platforms emerged as the principal channels through which these clarifications were communicated. Nevertheless, misconceptions persisted among some residents, largely due to misinformation and selective media interpretations of the declaration.
Unique Contribution: This study extends public relations scholarship by demonstrating how strategic religious public relations can mitigate misinformation arising from doctrinal communications within a culturally conservative society. It also provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness of ecclesiastical communication in shaping public understanding of controversial religious pronouncements in Nigeria.
Conclusion: Catholic Church public relations have played a significant role in correcting misconceptions surrounding Fiducia Supplicans among residents of Abakaliki. However, continuous, coordinated, and audience-centred communication remains essential for improving public understanding of sensitive doctrinal issues.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends that the Catholic Church institutionalise proactive public relations strategies by leveraging digital media, community engagement, and local-language communication to provide timely and consistent clarification of doctrinal pronouncements, thereby reducing misinformation and enhancing public understanding.