Pope Calls Africa a 'Special Case' on Same-Sex Blessings

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Facts

  • In a recent interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, Pope Francis said that African bishops were a 'special case' in their opposition to Fiducia Supplicans — a recent declaration which allows blessings for same-sex couples — as they culturally regard homosexuality as 'something ugly.'1
  • Suggesting that resistance to his reforms or talks of a schism have come from small ideological groups, the pontiff said that everyone will eventually understand the inclusive nature of the declaration, which he says 'aims to include, not divide.'2
  • Previously, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, as well as bishops in Central Asia, notably in Kazakhstan, had urged the pope to reverse his directive approving nonliturgical blessings for gay couples.3
  • Homosexuality is criminalized in a majority of African nations, which are home to nearly a quarter of the global population of 1B Catholics. 31 of the continent's 54 countries reportedly possess laws against same-sex relations — more than any other continent.4
  • Last week, Francis apparently acknowledged the pushback against Fiducia Supplicans, claiming that priests should 'naturally' take into consideration 'the context, the sensitivities, the places one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it' when they give blessings.5
  • Though a historic change to Vatican policy, the controversial declaration doesn't go as far as allowing priests to bless same-sex relationships themselves, thereby reaffirming the sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman.6

Sources: 1Vatican News, 2Reuters, 3CNN, 4The Daily Beast, 5NBC and 6Dw.Com.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Catholicworldreport. At best, the Fiducia Supplicans and its blessings for same-sex couples promote cultural colonialism, forcing other societies to validate harmful, progressive western values, despite the Vatican long advising Catholics not to subscribe to such ideologies. In religious terms, this declaration directly contradicts the Gospel of Christ.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Religion News Service. As Pope Francis adopts a non-judgmental, inclusive attitude, many bishops and ordinary Catholics have joined in an ongoing commotion after misunderstanding and misrepresenting the move to allow LGBTQ+ couples to be blessed. While the Vatican could indeed have communicated this change better, this document simply states that blessings don't require prior moral perfection.

Predictions