‘Homosexuality Not for Africans’

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has recognized that Africans hold specific cultural beliefs regarding homosexuality, which influences their opposition to same-sex marriage.

Addressing the opposition to same-sex marriage expressed by bishops and Africans in general, Pope Francis referred to the continent as a “special case.” The Pope expressed understanding regarding the cultural perspective in Africa, where homosexuality is often viewed negatively. However, he remained confident that critics of his decision to permit blessings for same-sex couples would eventually come to understand his intentions.

The Pope’s decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples was outlined in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which has sparked a significant debate within the Catholic Church.

“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” Francis told the Italian newspaper La Stampa on Monday. “A special case are Africans: for them, homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view; they don’t tolerate it.”

“But ‌I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the Pope said.

The resistance, particularly strong among African bishops, has prompted the Pope to examine the opposition closely. He acknowledged that those who vehemently protest belong to small ideological groups, but singled out Africans as having strong cultural objections to homosexuality.

Nonetheless, Pope Francis expressed optimism that, over time, attitudes would shift. He emphasized that the purpose of the Fiducia Supplicans declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith was to include rather than to divide.

The Catholic Church teaches that gay sex is considered sinful and disordered and advises those with same-sex attractions to strive for chastity. The Pope clarified that while moral perfection is not a requirement for seeking these blessings; they are not intended to validate relationships considered irregular by the Church.

According to the Pope, when a couple approaches the Church seeking blessings, the focus is not on the union itself, but on the individuals involved. It is the people who are blessed, not their relationship. Pope Francis emphasized that these blessings should not take place within a liturgical context and should be conducted discreetly, without the grandeur associated with traditional weddings.

“When a couple comes forward spontaneously to ask for them, one does not bless the union, but simply the people who together have requested it. Not the union, but the persons,” Francis said.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has made efforts to foster an environment of greater acceptance for LGBT individuals within the Church, all while upholding moral doctrine. During his address, the Pope acknowledged the backlash caused by the document, particularly in Africa, where some countries still criminalize same-sex activity, sometimes even punishable by death.

He stressed that priests should consider the context, sensitivities, and appropriate approaches when delivering these blessings.

Pope Francis recognizes that Africans hold specific cultural beliefs regarding homosexuality, which influences their opposition to same-sex marriage.

However, the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Church Bishops of Africa and Madagascar recently adopted a resolution stating that there will be no blessings for same-sex couples in African Churches.

This decision has sparked reactions and unrest among lay faithful, consecrated persons, and even pastors. The resolution reaffirms the unchanged doctrine on marriage and sexuality set forth by the successor of Peter, emphasizing fidelity to the Gospel and the traditional position of the Church.

The African Catholic Bishops Conference firmly rooted their position in Sacred Scriptures, which have been consistently upheld by the Universal Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church throughout history. They stated that any rites or prayers that blur the definition of marriage as an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, open to procreation, are considered unacceptable.

While the Fiducia Supplicans differentiates between liturgical blessings and spontaneous blessings, it does not mandate blessings for couples in irregular situations or same-sex couples, even if conducted outside liturgical frameworks.

The bishops emphasized the importance of pastoral care and guidance, reiterating their commitment to assisting all members of the Church. Clergy is encouraged to provide welcoming and supportive pastoral care, particularly to couples in irregular situations.

However, the African Bishops' Conference made it clear that while individuals with a homosexual tendency should be treated with respect and dignity, unions of same-sex couples go against the will of God and therefore cannot receive the blessing of the Church.

In their third point, the African Catholic Bishops Conference acknowledged the concerns about potential confusion and scandal within the Roman Catholic Church community. They described homosexual acts as "intrinsically disordered" and contrary to natural law, as well as emphasizing that such acts do not align with the genuine affective and sexual complementarity necessary for a sexual relationship.

The bishops supported their position with references to biblical passages that explicitly prohibit homosexuality, such as Leviticus 18:22-23. The African Bishops reaffirmed their communion with Pope Francis but asserted that the extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the Fiducia Supplicans declaration would create confusion within African communities.

They believed that the subtlety of the document's language might not be easily understood by the general population. Additionally, they stated that it would be challenging to convince people living in stable same-sex unions to see their status as illegitimate. The African Bishops called for the conversion of all and deemed it inappropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples, as it contradicts the cultural ethos of African communities.

An extraordinary session of the Catholic Bishop Conference is scheduled to take place in South Africa at the end of January to further address these issues. The session will focus on discussions related to the Vatican document on blessings for individuals in irregular unions, known as Fiducia Supplicans, along with other topics such as South Africa's upcoming national election and the implementation of the SACBC Pastoral Plan at the diocesan level.