Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have expressed disagreement with the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples, which could be translated as endorsement of same-sex marriage by the Catholic Church.
President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, made this known while delivering his speech at the formal opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN on Sunday in Abuja.
The bishops said statements or declarations from the Holy See should expectedly foster unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy, but unfortunately, Fiducia Supplicans did otherwise, thus the declaration hurt 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.
“While the document prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it recommends at the same time spontaneous pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations including the blessing of same-sex couples.
“It 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.
“Given the ambiguities in the Declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world,” Ugorji said.
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