A Catholic couple in Nigeria, Jane and Lucy, have no hope of getting their same-sex union blessed by the local church as conservative priests across Africa ignore a landmark Vatican ruling allowing such blessings.
Conservative Catholics have condemned a Vatican statement adopted a fortnight ago, endorsed by Pope Francis, that allows blessings for same-sex couples unless they are part of regular church rituals or liturgies.
The Pope responded to the criticism and to what he called inflexible ideological positions that he believes are preventing the Church from progressing.
However, in many African countries, such as Nigeria, the most populous on the continent, even same-sex relationships are outlawed and often punishable by long prison sentences.
The issue has been deeply divisive in the Anglican Church for more than two decades, and more recently the faith has been close to a split after Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby suggested earlier this year that priests should be allowed to bless same-sex unions.
The Catholic Church has so far been careful not to give the impression of conflict.
Catholic bishops from Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Uganda and Zimbabwe are among the clergy who have said they will not bless same-sex couples, but argue that the pope’s decree could be interpreted as non-binding.
Father Patrick Alumunku of the Mbora Parish of St Louis Catholic Church in the capital Abuja said the Vatican declaration has worried many followers but should be seen as a move towards inclusivity for all God’s children.
He denied that it was an incremental step towards eventually accepting same-sex unions in the church. Alumunku noted:
“There are laws that have been made by God and by the church in 2000 years which cannot change.”
