No one doubted that the document would cause a stir. It was, after all, a wave that came from the African continent and swept over Rome in the days following the publication on December 18 of a “doctrinal statement” calling for the blessing of homosexual couples (an act that consists in granting divine favor to one or more people to request) allowed “couples in an irregular situation”, especially divorced and remarried persons. This text from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a body of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing Catholic dogma, entitled “Fiducia supplicans” (“Trust”) was written by Cardinal Manuel Fernandez, the head of the organization Pope signed and approved.
While the advocates of the LGBTQ+ cause, who had long awaited this measure, rejoiced, especially in Belgium and Germany, where the episcopate demanded such progress, the representatives of the Catholic Church in Africa showed downright distrust. widespread. This was expressed on December 20th in a letter from the Archbishop of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo), Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, who is also President of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, attended by all the high clergy of the continent participate.
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“The ambiguity of this statement [du 18 décembre], which allows numerous interpretations and manipulations, causes great confusion among the faithful,” writes the prelate. He asks the continent's bishops' conferences to give their opinion on the text signed by Pope Francis in order to “draft a single synodal declaration valid for the entire Church of Africa.” The aim, once the consultation is complete, is to be able to issue “a pastoral statement on the subject, which will serve as a general guideline for all local churches on our continent”. The blessing approved by the Pope does not represent a further development of doctrine, but opens the way to new practices on the part of priests, calling on them to be friendlier to the faithful and to bless same-sex couples outside of every liturgical moment, provided that the blessing is provided does not resemble a marriage.
This clarification was not enough to prevent hostilities in several African countries. In Malawi, two-thirds of bishops signed a joint statement refusing to practice blessings. The high clergy of Cameroon also quickly “formally” banned their priests from blessing homosexual couples. While the words are less aggressive in Togo, where the episcopate reminds that “the Church recommends that people involved in same-sex relationships be received with respect, compassion and tenderness,” the refusal is the Pope's decision in action to implement, the same. In Lomé, priests are therefore advised to “refrain from blessing same-sex couples”.
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