Homosexual couples, African refusal
The president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SEEAM), the cardinal, sent a letter to the presidents of local episcopal conferences in Madagascar asking for their opinion on the decision. The cardinal invited local bishops to exchange opinions in order to develop a single solution that is applicable to the entire Church in Africa.
Pope Francis’ decision represents a break with Catholic tradition which has always equated homosexuality with a sin. Some Catholics welcomed him with great reservation. Pope Francis’ decision sparked intense reactions, particularly in Africa. Many people criticize her harshly.
Pope Francis’ decision represents a break with Catholic tradition which has always equated homosexuality with a sin. Some Catholics welcomed him with great reservation. Pope Francis’ decision sparked intense reactions, particularly in Africa. Many people criticize her harshly.
Concert
“Draft a single synodal declaration, valid for the entire Church of Africa” in response to the Vatican’s supplicans Fiducia declaration authorizing priests to bless same-sex couples and couples in “irregular situations”.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, who is the president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Sceam), expressed this request in a press release published on December 21. He asks the presidents of the episcopal conferences of Africa to transmit their “notice before the start of the second half of January” to achieve this.
However, due to ” ambiguity “ of Fiducia supplicans, the desire for a unanimous position in Africa only manifested itself late. Four days after the statement was issued, many African bishops’ conferences, as well as individual bishops, have already expressed opposition to the new authorization, focusing primarily on the issue of same-sex couples.
And the positions are not unanimous – although all emphasize that Fiducia supplicans is in no way a recognition of unions between a man and a woman that are not linked to Catholic marriage.
Customary legal violations
The Nigerian Bishops’ Conference maintains that this would contravene the law of God, the teachings of the Church, the laws of our country and the cultural sensitivities of our people. Thus, the Church cannot bless homosexual unions and activities. In Togo, bishops advise priests not to bless homosexual couples.
The episcopate of Zambia, for its part, appeals to the cultural and legal argument to also reject Fiducia Supplicans. In addition to avoiding “any confusion and pastoral ambiguity,” refusing to bless homosexual couples allows “not to violate the law of our country which prohibits homosexual unions and activities, and to listen to our cultural heritage which does not accept homosexual relationships.
Rwanda’s bishops claim the Church cannot bless same-sex relationships because a blessing given to children of the same sex would confuse the sacrament with marriage. This is worth many jabs at Pope Francis, whom some considered to be an enlightened influencer for the smooth running of the continent.
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