In a significant development, the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have voiced their disagreement with Pope Francis's position on the blessing of same-sex couples. The Pope's stance has been interpreted by some as an endorsement of same-sex marriage by the Church, a viewpoint that has stirred controversy.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, articulated this disagreement in a speech delivered at the formal opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN on Sunday, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.
He expressed that statements or declarations from the Holy See should ideally foster unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals, and liturgy. However, he noted that the declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, did otherwise, thus hurting the unity and catholicity of the Church.
“We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains,” Ugorji said.
While the document prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it paradoxically recommends spontaneous pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations, including the blessing of same-sex couples. The document further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.
The ambiguities in the Declaration quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve, and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world. The media hype surrounding the text generated shock, outrage, and disbelief among the faithful in Nigeria, as well as elsewhere in Africa and other parts of the world. Many devout Catholics in the communities were left wondering how a Priest could bless same-sex couples who live permanently in a sinful union without causing confusion and scandal.
“In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as Pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the Church based on Holy Scripture and Tradition. We shouldn’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing your minds, so we may discern what the Will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the Church in Africa,"
“Homosexual acts are of grave depravity which are intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law. In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live.”
“The Divine Physician does not only prescribe prayer, almsgiving and fasting. He also calls us to walk together in synodality which is part of the theme for the conference. Synodality has its roots in the early Christian community.
“But the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has given it prominence in his bid to emphasise the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit, and to the voices of all segments of the faithful in decision making in the Church, where decisions are made collectively, and the community’s well-being takes precedence over individual interests; where dialogue is promoted, and active participation encouraged.
“No matter what some people might think, synodality is not about changing the traditional rudiments of Catholic faith and practice or legitimising the ill effects of secularism. Synodality resonates with our African culture because we always do things together as a family and we consult the members of the family to take collective decisions, based on the African principle.
“We have a duty to listen to the rest of the universal church, just as our African culture, ethics and morality have much to offer to our universal family, the Church. The opposite of synodality is clericalism which Pope Francis calls a ‘scandal’,” Ugorji concluded.