Catholic Pope removes African priests from blessing same-sex couples

African Catholics clerics are exempted from blessing same-sex marriage because their culture does not tolerate homosexuality, Pope Francis who also described Africa as a “special case,” said in a publication on Monday.

The Pontiff disclosed this in an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, published on Monday.

Said he: “Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups. A special case are (sic) Africans: for them, homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it.”

The pope, however, said everyone would appreciate the idea of blessing same-sex marriage as contained in “Fiducia supplicans.”

Stated Pope Francis: “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. He invites us to welcome and then entrust people and ourselves to God.”

The Pope’s stance came in the wake of opposition that followed “Fiducia supplicans”, a document from the Vatican, allowing blessing for same-sex marriage.

Asked if he feared “schism”, possibly breaking from the Catholic fold by those who share opposing views, Pope Francis said it was normal for small groups to express themselves.

Said he: “No. Always, in the church, there have been small groups that expressed schismatic reflections… we must let them do their thing and pass… and look forward.”

In December, Francis said priests could presently bless same-sex relationships as part of efforts to open up the church to members of the LGBTQ community.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez announced the new declaration after it was endorsed by the pope, now allowing same-sex couples to receive blessing from the church but maintaining approval was not to amend “the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage.”