Blessing of same-sex couples worries Catholics in Africa

The Vatican's recent declaration allowing the blessing of same-sex couples caused a stir around the world, but especially in Africa, a rising pole for the future of the Catholic Church. In successive statements, the bishops of several countries spoke of the fear and confusion that the declaration caused among their faithful and considered it out of step with the culture and values of the continent.

2024-01-18

The bishops also had a deeper fear: that in a place where the Church is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, and where many forms of Christianity compete for believers, the declaration could slow the Church’s expansion on the continent.

Bishop John Oballa, of Ngong diocese, near Nairobi, said a woman had written to him stating that a friend had told her she wanted clarification on the statement, otherwise she would convert to the Methodist Church.