Cardinal Ambongo asserts that same-sex blessings directly contradict the cultural ethos of Africa.
Catholic bishops in Africa have declined Pope Francis’ pronouncement to bless homosexual couples, emphasizing that it goes “against the will of God.”
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Secam), serving as the overarching organization for Catholic bishops across Africa, stated in a release that the Vatican’s endorsement of same-sex blessings is “inappropriate.”
“The constant teaching of the Church describes homosexual acts as ‘intrinsically disordered’ and contrary to the natural law,” it read.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the President of Secam, affirmed that the message had received approval from Pope Francis, and their communion with the head of the Catholic Church will persist.
In the previous month, Pope Francis expressed that priests should be allowed to bless same-sex couples, prompting diverse reactions from both the Catholic Church and the LGBT community.
Nevertheless, the Vatican clarified that blessings should not be integrated into regular Church rituals or associated with civil unions or weddings. It reiterated the stance that marriage is viewed as a union between a man and a woman.
Globally, 64 countries criminalize homosexuality, with approximately half of them situated in Africa.