The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has reiterated the Catholic Church’s stance that priests cannot bless same-sex marriages or unions. This clarification comes in response to reports of Pope Francis permitting Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex unions, sparking varied opinions on social media.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM and a subsequent statement released on December 21st, Rev. Gyamfi clarified that Pope Francis did not direct or approve Catholic priests to bless marriages of gays and lesbians.
The statement emphasized that the document from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, titled “Fiducia Supplicans,” focuses on the pastoral care of individuals in same-sex relationships, offering them spiritual support and guidance.
Rev. Gyamfi highlighted distinctions between liturgical (sacramental) blessings and pastoral blessings, stating that the pastoral blessings are meant for everyone, with a focus on individuals seeking God’s graces in their lives.
The statement further clarified that the pastoral blessings could include prayers for peace, health, patience, dialogue, mutual assistance, and God’s light and strength to fulfill His will.
Rev. Gyamfi emphasized that the declaration addresses the possibility of “blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”
This reaffirmation underscores the Catholic Church’s commitment to its traditional teachings on marriage while offering pastoral care and support to individuals in diverse situations.
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