Culture making Africans intolerant of blessings for same-sex couples – Pope

Pope Francis has remarked that African culture contributes to the reluctance in accepting blessings for same-sex couples on the continent. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Pope expressed confidence that critics of his decision to permit such blessings would eventually understand it, with the exception of Africans, whom he labeled as a “special case.”

According to Pope Francis, African perspectives on homosexuality are predominantly negative due to cultural influences. He stated, “Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups. A special case is Africans: for them, homosexuality is something bad from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it.”

Despite the controversy sparked by the Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust) document released by the Vatican in December, which allowed blessings for same-sex couples, Pope Francis believes that over time, everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, emphasizing inclusion over division.

The Fiducia Supplicans document faced resistance from some African bishops, who rejected the move. The Vatican clarified that the blessings should not be incorporated into regular church ceremonies or linked to civil unions or weddings. It also reiterated its view that marriage is defined as between a man and a woman.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria announced that Catholic churches within the country would not perform blessings for same-sex unions, stating, “That would go against God’s law, the teachings of the Church, the laws of our nation, and the cultural sensibilities of our people.”