African Church ‘in communion with Pope’ but no blessing of same-sex couples

By Salvatore Cernuzio

“The Episcopal Conferences across Africa, which have strongly reaffirmed their communion with Pope Francis, believe that the extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the Declaration Fiducia supplicans cannot be carried out in Africa without exposing themselves to scandals.”

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM (Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), has published a letter stating the position of African Bishops regarding the “extra-liturgical” blessings proposed in the Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Fiducia supplicans, published on 18 December, opens the possibility of blessing couples in “irregular” situations, according to Catholic morality, including same-sex couples, though the blessing must be performed outside any form of liturgical rite and never in imitation of a wedding.

Summary of positions of national episcopates

Cardinal Ambongo’s letter, released on Thursday, presents a “consolidated summary” of the positions adopted by various National and Inter-territorial Episcopal Conferences across the African continent on the Declaration.

According to the letter, Fiducia supplicans caused “a shockwave” and has “sown misconceptions and unrest in the minds of many lay faithful, consecrated persons, and even pastors, and has aroused strong reactions.”

Cardinal Ambongo specifies that the letter has received “the agreement of His Holiness Pope Francis and of His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.”

He clarified that the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar reaffirm their communion with Pope Francis. “In their various messages, the Episcopal Conferences of the Church family of God in Africa begin by reaffirming their unwavering attachment to the Successor of Peter, their communion with him, and their fidelity to the Gospel.”

However, said Cardinal Ambongo, the Bishops believe that scandal would result from the blessings of same-sex couples, even if performed outside of liturgical frameworks.

“The Episcopal Conferences generally prefer – each Bishop remaining free in his diocese – not to offer blessings to same-sex couples,” said Cardinal Ambongo, adding that the practice could lead to potential confusion and scandal.

Speaking to the clergy, religious communities, and all believers, Cardinal Ambongo points out that Fiducia supplicans clearly emphasizes that “the Church’s doctrine on Christian marriage and sexuality remains unchanged.”

The risk of confusion

“For this reason, we, the African Bishops, do not consider it appropriate for Africa to bless homosexual unions or same-sex couples because, in our context, this would cause confusion and would be in direct contradiction to the cultural ethos of African communities,” he said. “The language of Fiducia supplicans remains too subtle for simple people to understand. Furthermore, it remains very difficult to be convincing that people of the same sex who live in a stable union do not claim the legitimacy of their own status.”

At the same time, the Church in Africa reaffirms its “commitment to continuing pastoral assistance to all its members.”

Cardinal Ambongo said clergy are “encouraged to provide welcoming and supportive pastoral care, particularly to couples in irregular situations.”

“The African Bishops’ Conferences emphasize that people with a homosexual tendency must be treated with respect and dignity, while reminding them that unions of persons of the same-sex are contrary to the will of God and therefore cannot receive the blessing of the Church,” said the Cardinal.

He noted that the Church has constantly taught that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered” and “contrary to natural law.”

Reflection will continue

“Some countries prefer to have more time for the deepening of the Declaration which, in fact, offers the possibility of these blessings but does not impose them,” he said. “In any case, we will continue to reflect on the value of the general theme of this document, apart from just blessings for couples in an irregular situation, that is to say, on the richness of spontaneous blessings in everyday pastoral care.”

In conclusion, Cardinal Ambongo urges Christians communities “not to allow themselves to be shaken.”

Pope Francis, he noted, “fiercely opposed to any form of cultural colonization in Africa, blesses the African people with all his heart and encourages them to remain faithful, as always, to the defense of Christian values.”