Pope Describes Africans As “Special Case” Over LGBTQ+
Pope Describes Africans As “Special Case” Over LGBTQ+
Pope Describes Africans As “Special Case” Over LGBTQ+
Regarding their support of Pope Francis’ position on blessing LGBTQ+ couples, Africans have been characterized by the head of the Roman Catholic church as a particular instance.The Pope defended his position on baptizing same-sex and irregular couples in an interview that was published in the Italian newspaper La Stampa on Monday, January 29. He pointed out that Africans are a unique example when it comes to acceptance.
According to the Pope, Africans do not tolerate homosexuality as a result of cultural inferences which makes them a special case when it comes to their tolerance of LGBTQ communities.
“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups. A special case are Africans: for them, homosexuality is something “bad” from a cultural point of view, and they don’t tolerate it,” the Pope stated
In the interview, Pope Francis clarified that the goal of his earlier command to the Roman Catholic church was to bring the church together rather than to split it.He said that he hoped those who had criticized his choice to bless non-heterosexual couples would come to understand it in the future.
“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the “Fiducia supplicans” declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide”, the Pope emphasised. Further, in his defence of the stance the Pope emphasised that the directive was aimed at blessing faithful of the church and not the union itself.
“The Gospel is to sanctify everyone. Of course, as long as there is goodwill. And it is necessary to give precise instructions on the Christian life (I underline that it is not the union that is blessed, but the people)”.“But we are all sinners: why then draw up a list of sinners who can enter the Church and a list of sinners who cannot be in the Church? This is not the Gospel,” added Pope Francis.
Priests, especially those in Africa, strongly objected to the Pope’s previous mandate, which required Catholic priests to approve same-sex unions.Additionally, Kenyan priests disagreed with the pope, with some bishops forbidding the blessing within their dioceses.