The episcopal conferences of Africa are united in the belief that “the extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the declaration Fiducia Supplicans cannot be carried out in Africa” without creating scandal.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambogo of Kinshasa, the president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) summarized the stands taken by the different bishops’ conferences of Africa in a January 11 statement. He reported:
The episcopal conferences generally prefer—each bishop remaining free in his diocese—not to offer blessing to same-sex couples.
The African bishops profess their “unwavering attachment to the Successor of Peter,” the cardinal said, but fear the “potential confusion and scandal” that could be caused by blessing couples in irregular unions. The Vatican’s declaration, he said, “has sown misconceptions and unrest in the minds of many lay faithful, consecrated persons and even pastors, and has aroused strong reactions.”
The rejection of blessings for irregular unions does not indicate a lack of pastoral care, the cardinal insisted. African bishops are committed to treating homosexual persons with “respect and dignity,” he said. “Clergy are encouraged to provide welcoming and supportive pastoral care, particular to couples in irregular situations.
The leaders of the French Catholic bishops’ conference have issued a statement encouraging priests to bless people “who humbly ask for God’s help,” but carefully avoided suggesting such blessings for couples.
The permanent council of the French episcopal conference issued its statement on January 10, evidently responding to the earlier statement from nine French bishops who announced that they would not authorize blessings for same-sex couples. The conference statement called for an “unconditional and merciful welcome” of those who seek blessings. But after mentioning the need to provide pastoral care for couples living in irregular unions, the statement refers to blessings for individuals.