African bishops and leaders reject blessing for gay couples

A blessing offered by Pope Francis for gay couples has been rejected by Catholic bishops and African leaders, with most Portuguese-speaking countries also reacting negatively.

This was the case with the Catholic bishops of Mozambique, Angola and Sao Tome and Principe. While in Maputo the Bishops’ Conference of Mozambique announced that it had decided “not to bless” “non-regular unions and same-sex unions”, in Luanda the bishops of Angola and Sao Tome even expressed “bewilderment” at the blessing of “non-regular unions”. couples,” determining that they should not be held in these countries because “it would create enormous scandal and confusion among the believers.”

In Cape Verde, awaiting a joint note from the archipelago’s two dioceses, Bishop Ildo Fortes said both follow Pope Francis’ position based on the principle of mercy. And he tried to explain, while at the same time making it clear that this was not an endorsement: “Even to get out of the wrong path where they may be, even for those who are in sin, there needs to be a blessing, a light.” – he stated, asking the question: “If we bless fields and animals, then why don’t we bless people?”