Pope Francis Speaks on Position of Nigerian Bishops Over Blessings of Same-Sex-Marriage

• Pope Francis has expressed optimism that those who opposed the directive of blessing same-sex unions will soon come to understand his view
• According to the Catholic leader, those opposing his views are small ideological groups, adding that Nigeria and Africans at large opposed it from their cultural point of view
• The Pope maintained that the Vatican's directive that bishops should bless same-sex couples was a sign of acceptance and not rejection

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Pope Francis has said he was confident that those criticising his position on the blessing of same-sex marriage will have a better understanding over time.

According to Reuters, Pope Francis maintained that Africans have a negative perception of homosexuality, citing cultural background, while speaking with an Italian newspaper, La Stampa, which was published on Monday, January 29.

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The Pope described Nigerians and Africans at large as a "special case."

The Pope said:

“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. They don’t tolerate it."

Pope Francis comments on same-sex marriage again

However, the Christian leader posited that everyone would be reassured over time by the spirit of the 'Fiducia Supplicans' declaration, adding that the objective was to include and not divide.

Recall that in December 2023, the Vatican directed Catholic bishops to bless same-sex couples in a document referred to as Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).

The directive led to debate in the Catholic Church and around the globe.

In its clarification, the Vatican maintained that the blessings of same-sex should not be part of church ceremonies, connected to civil ril

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The Pope maintained that the church would continue to see marriage as between a man and a woman.

Why Pope's order can't stand, Nigerian bishops

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Catholic bishops in Nigeria, under the umbrella of the CBCN, said the Catholic teaching on marriage remained unchanged.

In their reactions to the directive by Pope Francis that Catholic priests should bless same-sex marriage, they gave four reasons for going against the Vatican's rulings.

According to the Christian body, the directive of the Pope to bless same-sex marriage was against God's law and the church's teachings, among others.

Source: Legit.ng