Pope Francis Describes Africans As “Special Case” Over LGBTQ+ Blessing Saga
Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has characterized Africans as unique in their response to his position on offering blessings to LGBTQ+ couples.
In an interview released on January 29 in the Italian publication La Stampa, the Pope reiterated his support for blessing both irregular and same-sex couples. He specifically highlighted that when it comes to acceptance, Africans are a unique consideration.
The Pope suggests that cultural influences in Africa contribute to a lack of acceptance of homosexuality, making the African context unique in terms of its stance on LGBTQ communities.
“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, and they don’t tolerate it,” the Pope stated
In his interview, Pope Francis stated that his earlier guidance regarding the Roman Catholic Church was intended to foster unity rather than create divisions within the church.
He additionally mentioned his desire for those who criticized his choice to offer blessings to non-heterosexual couples to eventually embrace and support it.
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“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the “Fiducia supplicants” declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide”, the Pope emphasized.
Moreover, while defending his position, the Pope underscored that the guideline was intended to bestow blessings upon the church’s faithful rather than the union itself.
“The Gospel is to sanctify everyone. Of course, as long as there is goodwill. And it is necessary to give precise instructions on the Christian life (I underline that it is not the union that is blessed, but the people)”.
“But we are all sinners: why then draw up a list of sinners who can enter the Church and a list of sinners who cannot be in the Church? This is not the Gospel,” added Pope Francis.
In a prior instruction, the Pope had mandated Catholic Priests to offer blessings for same-sex marriages, a decision met with significant resistance from Priests, especially in the African region.
Kenyan priests, in response to the Pope, countered his stance and specific Bishops in certain Dioceses prohibited the blessing as well.
Pope Francis Describes Africans As “Special Case” Over LGBTQ+ Blessing Saga