Catholic Churches in Africa have rejected calls by Pope Francis to bless same-s3x unions.
Recall that on Monday, Pope Francis approved a document issued by the Vatican announcing a change in the church’s stance on marriage. The Vatican stated that the change should be interpreted as a sign that “God welcomes all”, although the document specifies that priests must make decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, introduced the text and emphasized that the new declaration remains “firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage”.
However, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), a mother body for all Catholics in Malawi, said blessings of any kind and for same-s3x unions of any kind have no room in Malawi.
“Having stated the above, and to avoid creating confusion among the faithful, we direct that for pastoral reasons, blessings of any kind and for same s3x unions of any kind, are not permitted in Malawi.
“While we understand the legitimate interest and fears this Declaration has generated, we wish to assure all Catholics and all those interested in Catholic teaching that the teaching of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on Marriage remains the one indicated above, an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children,” read a statement signed by ECM President, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala and all other bishops.
Similarly, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has said that Catholic Churches in the country would not bless same-s3x unions.
The bishops said the blessing of the same-s3x union is against God’s law, the teachings of the church, and the law of the country.
They made this known in a statement released and signed by the President of the conference, Lucius Ugirji and the Secretary, Donayus Ogun on Wednesday.
They said, “The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria assures the entire People of God that the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage remains the same. There is, therefore, no possibility in the teaching of the Church of blessing same-s3x unions and activities.
“That would go against God’s law, the teachings of the Church, the laws of our nation, and the cultural sensibilities of our people.”
The bishops, however, stated that Pope Francis’s permission to bless same-s3x marriage was misinterpreted.
Clarifying the Pope’s statement, the bishops said, “The declaration seeks to clarify the different forms of blessing that can be given to persons and objects in the Catholic Church, including the possibility of blessing persons in irregular unions. Such unions include but are not limited to divorced and remarried couples whose previous marriages had not been annulled, those living in same-s3x unions, those in polygamous unions, in concubinage, etc.”
“The declaration acknowledges and carefully distinguishes between ritual, liturgical, and informal blessings. While ritual or liturgical blessings are imparted according to the established norms of the Church, informal blessings refer to prayers over people who ask for them outside the liturgy or any formal declaration offers a consideration of the possibility of extending the informal blessing to all Cod’s children, irrespective of their moral condition, when they ask to be blessed.
“Nevertheless, the Declaration insists that the blessing of persons in irregular unions—and never the union itself—can only take a non-liturgical form to avoid confusion. It should not be imparted during or in connection with a civil wedding ceremony or with clothing, words, and signs associated with a wedding.
“The Declaration reiterates the Catholic Church’s perennial teaching on marriage as an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union of a man and woman, naturally open to the generation of children and emphatically states that the Church does not have the power to impart a blessing on irregular unions.
“The Declaration also reinforces the truth about God’s mercy. For one to willingly ask for a blessing demonstrates one’s trust in God and the desire to live according to God’s commandments. Asking for God’s blessing is not dependent on how good one is. Imperfection is the reason for seeking God’s grace.
Therefore, those in irregular unions are invited never to lose hope but rather to ask for God’s grace and mercy while remaining open to conversion.
The bishops, however, urged priests to not defy the sacredness of holy matrimony, saying, “The CBCN thanks all the priests for their accompaniment of married couples, asking them to continue to stain the sacrament of holy matrimony and never to do anything that would detract from the sacredness of this sacrament. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Amen! We wish everyone a merry Christmas.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES ON PRUDENCE JOURNAL
Jumia stops food delivery services in Nigeria and other African markets over profitability concerns
Tems opens up on pregnancy rumours with US rapper Future, says she got death threats
US House of Reps launches Republican impeachment inquiry against Biden
Afrobeat superstar Wizkid donates N100 million to children for Christmas
South African singer Zahara dies of liver complication at 36
Nigeria’s central bank to freeze accounts without BVN or NIN
Elon Musk blasts advertisers who pulled spending from X
70-years-old woman delivers twins after 40 years of barrenness
Israel Fails to Provide Evidence of Hamas Command Center in Al-Shifa Hospital Raid