Pope Francis accepts Africans’ position on same-sex marriage blessing

Pope Francis has acknowledged the rejection of homosexuality by African churches, saying it is a “special case” after Catholic bishops and many others pile a pushback on the pontiff’s approval of church blessings for same-sex union last month.

In an interview reported by Reuters, the Pope addressed the contentious issue of same-sex relationship within the Catholic Church, particularly focusing on the strong opposition from African bishops.

In a declaration released in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust) last month, the Vatican gave approval for church blessings for same-sex unions sparking widespread debate with stiff objection and rejection from African priests and Catholics.

“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” Francis said, according to Reuters. “A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it”.

The document restated traditional church teaching of marriage as a lifelong union between a man and woman. However, it allowed priests to offer spontaneous, non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples seeking God’s grace in their lives, provided such blessings aren’t confused with the rites and rituals of a wedding.

According to the interview, Pope Francis maintained the approval aims at inclusivity rather than division, expressing hope that more people will come to accept that view gradually.

“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the pope said of the document.

“Context and sensitivities”

Last week, Francis also appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document received, especially in Africa, where same-sex relationships can lead to prison or even the death penalty.

He advised priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it” when blessings are given.

Addressing concerns about potential break-ways from the church due to his reforms, Pope Francis dismissed such notions, attributing them to “small groups.” He urged a forward-looking approach, emphasizing the need to progress despite resistance.

“We must leave them to it and move on…and look forward,” he said.

Pushback

Early January, the Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar issued a unified statement indicating they would refuse to follow the Pope’s declaration maintaining that such unions are “contrary to the will of God.”

The statement, signed by Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo on behalf of the symposium of African National Bishops Conferences, reflected the hard stance of Catholics in the continent against the Pope’s approval.

Cardinal Ambongo cited biblical teaching condemning homosexuality and the African cultural context, where he asserted that LGBTQ+ unions “are seen as contradictory to cultural norms and intrinsically corrupt.”