African Catholic bishops reject Vatican's same-sex blessings
Africa
By
VOA
| Jan 12, 2024
The Roman Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar on Thursday issued a statement refusing to follow Pope Francis' declaration permitting priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples.
Signed by Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo on behalf of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, or SECAM, the statement said such unions were "contrary to the will of God."
The move comes after Francis on December 18 approved a declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, which was welcomed by LGBTQ Catholics.
In the declaration, the Vatican reaffirmed the traditional Church teaching that marriage is only between a man and a woman but said priests could offer non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples, as long as those blessings weren't confused with a wedding.
African Catholic bishops said the Vatican's declaration contradicted "the cultural ethos of African communities." Homosexuality remains illegal in many African countries.
READ MORE
In east DR Congo, minors face systematic risk of sexual violence
M23 militia says will withdraw from key DRC city of Uvira
M23 consolidates control of DR Congo city, bodies in streets
What we know about M23's new advance in DR Congo
Haiti mission troops welcomed home, praised for bravery abroad
Rwanda set to reap peace dividends in Eastern DRC
Kenya, US sign Sh323.8 billion health aid agreement
Gender Identity: Pressure mounts on Parliament to pass National Intersex Persons Bill, 2023
How disputed SHA land, ghost project cost taxpayers Sh1.5 billion
"The Church's doctrine on Christian marriage and sexuality remains unchanged," SECAM said in a statement from Accra, Ghana's capital.
"For this reason, we, the African Bishops, do not consider it appropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples," the statement added.
The pushback underscores a gap between the pope's progressive, reform-oriented leadership and conservatives in much of the Catholic community.