The Roman Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar on Thursday issued an announcement refusing to observe Pope Francis’ declaration allowing monks to supply 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 assertion stated such unions have been “opposite to the need of God.”
The transfer comes after Francis on December 18 authorized a declaration permitting monks to supply blessings to same-sex {couples}, which was welcomed by LGBTQ Catholics.
Within the declaration, the Vatican reaffirmed the normal Church instructing that marriage is barely between a person and a girl however stated monks might provide non-liturgical blessings to same-sex {couples}, so long as these blessings weren’t confused with a marriage.
African Catholic bishops stated the Vatican’s declaration contradicted “the cultural ethos of African communities.” Homosexuality stays unlawful in lots of African international locations.
“The Church’s doctrine on Christian marriage and sexuality stays unchanged,” SECAM stated in an announcement from Accra, Ghana’s capital.
“Because of this, we, the African Bishops, don’t take into account it acceptable for Africa to bless gay unions or same-sex {couples},” the assertion added.
The pushback underscores a spot between the pope’s progressive, reform-oriented management and conservatives in a lot of the Catholic neighborhood.
Some info on this report got here from The Related Press and Agence France-Presse.
