Catholic Church in Africa Disagree With Vatican’s Same Sex Blessings

The Vatican’s recent declaration permitting the blessing of same-sex couples has stirred global debate, but it has struck a particularly resonant chord in Africa, a continent of rising significance within the Roman Catholic Church’s future. Bishops in several African countries have expressed concerns about the declaration, citing its perceived misalignment with African values and culture. They fear that this stance could hinder the church’s remarkable expansion on the continent, where it is growing faster than anywhere else globally.

Bishop John Oballa of the Ngong Diocese near Nairobi shared an anecdote about a woman who expressed her friend’s desire for clarification on the declaration, noting that the friend was contemplating converting to the Methodist Church due to the confusion it had caused. Bishop Oballa stressed the vibrancy of many African dioceses and the need to protect and nurture this growth.

He articulated his advice to priests, suggesting that they should offer blessings to same-sex couples only if the individuals were seeking divine strength to transition away from same-sex unions. However, he cautioned against blessing couples who intended to continue their current lifestyle, as it might convey a perception of recognition, potentially undermining the faith of others.

In response to concerns raised by bishops, the Vatican acknowledged the need to accommodate “local culture” but maintained the policy. Bishops who opposed the change were encouraged to engage in an “extended period of pastoral reflection” to better understand the Vatican’s rationale behind blessing same-sex couples in line with church teaching.

Some African clergy have expressed hope that the Vatican and African church leaders will reconcile their differences. However, the declaration has added complexity to their relationship, necessitating challenging conversations between the church’s central authority and its African leaders. Some bishops have even hinted at a values divide between African nations and the West, where certain clergy have previously blessed same-sex unions in defiance of the Vatican’s guidance.

Throughout Africa, church leaders have consistently emphasised that the declaration approved by Pope Francis explicitly reaffirms marriage as a union between a man and a woman. They stress that the church’s doctrine on marriage remains unchanged, and the declaration primarily concerns the blessing of individuals rather than their relationships.

In Malawi and Zambia, bishops have already instructed their clergy not to bless same-sex couples to avoid confusion. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria did not take a definitive stance on the issue but emphasised that seeking God’s blessing is not contingent on one’s goodness. Nonetheless, they affirmed that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex unions and activities within the church, emphasising the nuanced distinction between blessing gay individuals and relationships.

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference went further in its statement, asserting the church’s position that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity, welcomed in the church, and protected from discrimination or harm.

The Vatican’s declaration has illuminated a tension for the church in Africa: How can it embrace homosexuality without alienating believers who steadfastly consider it a sin? Some African church leaders argue that discussing homosexuality is “un-African,” while others hold more accepting views, influenced by personal relationships with gay individuals.

While the outcome of the controversy over blessing same-sex couples in Africa remains uncertain, some analysts predict that the tension may ultimately dissipate, as few gay couples are expected to seek such blessings. The debate underscores the complex challenges facing the Roman Catholic Church in Africa as it navigates issues of homosexuality, cultural differences, and the need to uphold traditional teachings while adapting to evolving societal norms.