Catholic churches in Africa have refused to bless same-sex unions. This was reported by TASS Referring to the decision of the symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
This is expected to help prevent “creating scandal and confusion within the flock”. Before this, the Vatican had ruled that it was permissible for unmarried same-sex couples to receive blessings; This did not mean the sanctity of marriage. In Africa, however, they refused to enforce the order because its provisions were “too subtle to be understood by ordinary people.”
Kinshasa Cardinal and Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Bezungu said his congregation was not ready to accept same-sex unions.
“It is difficult to convince people in our environment that same-sex people can live in a stable union and not demand the legitimacy of their own status. Although each bishop remains free in his own diocese, episcopal conferences choose not to give a blessing to same-sex couples. “This decision was made due to concerns about potential confusion and disagreement within the church community,” he concluded.
Pope Francis in 2020 called for legalization same-sex unions and repeatedly emphasized that “the church, like the family, should be open to everyone.” As noted, the African Church, along with some other dioceses, rejected the pope’s order to consecrate “except for the liturgy”. For this reason, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Svyatoslav Shevchuk, had previously said that clergy would not bless same-sex couples.
Miley, who previously criticized Pope Francis invited him to Argentina.