On Thursday, the Vatican aimed to elucidate the recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples within the Catholic Church, emphasizing that it hadn’t deviated from doctrine while advising caution in specific regions.
The clarification from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith was prompted by concerns raised by certain bishops, notably in Africa, who expressed discontent over the recent declaration allowing priests to bless “irregular” and same-sex couples in certain situations.
The document, released in December, sparked controversy among some conservative Catholics, particularly in Africa, who perceived it as a departure from the Church’s stance against gay marriage and homosexuality.
However, the Vatican reaffirmed its support for the recent document on Thursday, asserting its clarity and definitiveness regarding matters of marriage and sexuality.
“There is no room to distance ourselves doctrinally from this Declaration or to consider it heretical, contrary to the Tradition of the Church or blasphemous,” the Dicastery wrote.
The initial declaration emphasized that priests were permitted to bestow blessings on same-sex couples, divorced individuals, or unmarried couples only in informal settings, explicitly excluding weddings or civil unions.
Strong resistance to the recent action by the Vatican has emerged notably in Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Dicastery acknowledged that various bishops’ conferences globally had expressed “understandable” concerns about the decision, stressing the necessity for an extended period of pastoral contemplation.
It also highlighted the unsuitability of blessing same-sex couples in certain situations.
“If there are laws that condemn the mere act of declaring oneself as a homosexual with prison and in some cases with torture and even death, it goes without saying that a blessing would be imprudent,” said the Dicastery.
It urged “prudence and attention to the ecclesial context and to the local culture” in applying the measure.
Without singling out countries, it said that in several, “there are strong cultural and even legal issues that require time and pastoral strategies that go beyond the short term.”
Ever since assuming office in 2013, Pope Francis, at 87 years old, has consistently advocated for the Church to embrace all its followers, encompassing members of the homosexual and LGBTQ communities.
However, his initiatives have faced significant opposition from the traditional and conservative factions within the Church.
………..
Note : To submit Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries for publication on Waffi blog (website) or Television 📺, please use the following contact details: You can send an email to info@waffitv.com or reach us via Whatsapp at 07068286500
