Africa : African Bishops Say NO to the Blessing of Homosexual Couples
In recent weeks, African public opinion has been shocked by a controversial statement from Pope Francis in a declaration called « Fiducia supplicans, » dated December 18, 2023. The Pope’s statement urged the Catholic Church to bless homosexual couples outside of liturgical ceremonies. This declaration has outraged African sentiment, and since then, reactions expressing disgust and indignation have been pouring in.
On January 11, African bishops unanimously and officially rejected this papal recommendation. Various African episcopal conferences individually reacted to express their opposition to the « Fiducia supplicans » declaration. Bishops from Cameroon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Togo, Nigeria, among others, made their positions clear. Following a meeting held by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM) at its headquarters in Accra, a statement was issued. Signed by the president of the organization, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, the declaration clearly conveys its content in its title : « No Blessing for Homosexual Couples in African Churches ».
In this declaration, African bishops explain their position by stating, « We, African bishops, do not consider it appropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples because, in our context, it would cause confusion and be in direct contradiction with the cultural ethos of African communities ».The bishops also emphasize the consistent teaching of the Church, describing homosexual acts as inherently disordered and contrary to natural law. They assert that such acts, seen as excluding the gift of life and lacking true emotional and sexual complementarity, should not be approved under any circumstances.
In conclusion, the bishops state that while promoting homosexuality in the West may be understandable, attempting to export what is considered an abomination to Africa is a heresy that cannot thrive.
