Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-29 13:48:40
In an interview published on January 29, Pope Francis addressed the special case of the Church in Africa with regards to the extra-liturgical blessings proposed for same-sex couples. He expressed the view that homosexuality was culturally deemed as “ugly” for Africans. The Pope was responding to the opposition that a document he supports called Declaration Fiducia supplicans has attracted.
Published on December 18, Declaration Fiducia supplicans opens the possibility of blessing couples whose situation is considered “irregular” in the Catholic church. This includes unmarried couples, divorced-and-remarried couples, and same-sex couples. Pope Francis emphasized that the Gospel is meant to sanctify everyone, stating, “we are all sinners: why should we make a list of sinners who can enter the Church and a list of sinners who cannot be in the Church?” He also clarified that the blessing is about blessing the people, not their union.
In response to the criticisms of the document, Pope Francis noted that those who vehemently protest belong to small ideological groups. The president of the African bishops, with the Pope’s approval, stated on January 11th that blessings for same-sex couples would not be carried out on a continent where many countries criminalize homosexuality. The Bishops of Northern Africa expressed that they will bless people in irregular situations as long as the blessing does not create confusion for the individuals involved or for others.
In summary, the interview with Pope Francis shed light on the Church’s stance on blessing same-sex couples within the African context, as well as the broader issue of blessing couples in irregular situations. The Pope’s remarks also addressed the criticisms and opposition the document has faced from various quarters. The discussion on extra-liturgical blessings and the Church’s position on embracing all individuals, regardless of their situation, provided valuable insight into the ongoing dialogue within the Catholic Church.
