Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, faces challenges in persuading African bishops to bless homosexual couples, despite allowing priests to do so a month ago.
In a recent statement reported by Reuters, the Vatican leader acknowledged resistance to his reforms, particularly from African bishops grounded in cultural beliefs. He expressed hope that over time, opponents, including those in Africa, would come to understand and support his initiatives.
Addressing the criticism, the pope highlighted those vehement protests primarily came from small ideological groups. He singled out Africans, noting that cultural perspectives branded homosexuality as ‘bad’ in their eyes. However, he expressed confidence that the recently introduced ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith aimed to unite rather than divide.
In the context of Uganda, where same-gender marriages can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment or the death penalty, the pope acknowledged the challenges. Despite conservative wings diverging from the Catholic Church due to his reforms, Pope Francis remained unfazed, dismissing the possibility of a schism fueled by smaller groups. “We must leave them to it and move on…and look forward,” he asserted.
