"African Catholic Bishops Reject Blessing Same-Sex Unions"

The bishops of Africa have issued a united statement rejecting the Vatican's new guidelines permitting nonliturgical pastoral blessings of homosexual couples, stating that there will be "no blessing for homosexual couples in the African churches." They emphasized that the Church's doctrine on Christian marriage and sexuality remains unchanged and cited biblical and cultural reasons for their stance, while also affirming respect and dignity for individuals with homosexual tendencies. The African bishops' letter received the agreement of Pope Francis and the Vatican's prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and they called on Christian communities not to be shaken by the confusion following the release of the Vatican's declaration.