- Nigerian Bishops said blessing same-sex marriage is contrary to the teachings of the Church.
- Zambia’s bishops conference said same-sex couple blessings were “not for implementation in Zambia.”
Pope Francis' directive permitting priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples has ignited a global controversy, creating divisions within the Roman Catholic Church.
In Africa, specifically, Catholic bishops have voiced objections to the Pope's guidance, asserting that any form of blessing for same-sex unions and activities contradicts God's word and established church teachings.
The Kenyan Catholic Church leadership led by Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo asked priests to ignore the order and continue to shun blessing same-sex couples.
In a statement on Sunday, Anyolo said the church will abide by the affirmation of the traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage and family.
He said it also includes the disapproval of the Catholic Church of homosexual unions.
“To make sure the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the Declaration and the perennial teachings of the Church on marriage, is upheld, all Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, same-sex couples,” he said.
On December 20, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a clarification regarding Pope Francis's statements on the blessing of same-sex couples.
They emphasized that the Pope did not authorize priests to conduct liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, nor did he endorse such unions.
Martin Kivuva Musonde, Chairman of KCCB, clarified that the Pope's directive was solely to welcome individuals in same-sex unions to the church, with the aspiration that the experience of salvation might bring about transformation.
“This document seeks to awaken the invitation of all people to God's action and grace. The Church seeks to reach out to all individuals, to stir them to the path of conversion and salvation," he said.
A report from the Vatican’s doctrinal office said such blessings would be permitted, albeit with caveats.
"It will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualisation or offering the impression of a marriage,” the report said.
"The doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing does not signify approval of the union".
In October, Pope Francis had suggested he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex couples.
The announcement by the Vatican office reversed its 2021 statement that had ruled out blessings for same-sex couples because God “cannot bless sin.”
In the Catholic Church, a blessing is a prayer or plea, usually delivered by a minister, asking that God look favourably at the person or people being blessed.
As the Pope's message continued to cause confusion, Nigerian Bishops said blessing same-sex marriage is contrary to the teachings of the Church, the laws of the country and the cultural sensibilities of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by CBCN President and Secretary, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji and Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, the bishops insisted that the teachings of the Catholic Church on marriage remained the same.
“There is, therefore, no possibility in the Church of blessing same-sex unions and activities; that will go against God’s law, the teachings of the church, the laws of our nation and the cultural sensibilities of our people.
“We thank all the priests for their accompaniment of married couples, asking them to continue in all they do to sustain the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and never to do anything that will detract from the sacredness of this sacrament,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishops said.
Zambia’s bishops conference said same-sex couple blessings were “not for implementation in Zambia.” The bishops conference of Malawi said “blessings of any kind” for “same-sex unions of any kind” would not be permitted.
In Zambia, engaging in gay sex carries a penalty of 15 years to life imprisonment, with the law categorizing it alongside bestiality.
Meanwhile, Malawi's legislation imposes up to 14 years in prison for homosexual activities, with the possibility of corporal punishment for the convicted.
Zambian Bishops have advocated for "further reflection" on blessings, citing the country's anti-homosexuality laws and emphasizing its cultural heritage that rejects same-sex relationships as grounds for their stance.
The Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, which is based in South Africa where a liberal constitution allows same-sex marriages, appeared to welcome the prospect of blessings for gay couples as confirmation that “nobody is outside God’s grace.”
But it added that its interpretation of the declaration was that “the blessing is done with the hope of conversion.”
Out of Africa's 54 countries, 31 have laws criminalizing homosexuality, more than any other continent, according to the Human Dignity Trust, which defends LGBTQ+ rights.
Bishops in several countries, including Belgium and Germany, begun to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, but the position of Church authorities remained unclear.