NewsWorld
Mayowa DurosinmiJanuary 29, 20241 Mins read458
“Unlike Africans, Other Critics of Same-Sex Marriage Will Come to Terms” — Pope Francis
Mayowa DurosinmiJanuary 29, 20241 Mins read458 
Pope Francis has said that he is confident that critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples will eventually come to terms with it, except for Africans, whom he described as a “special case.”
During an interview with La Stampa on Monday, Francis described the resistance he met, especially in Africa, where bishops have rejected the same-sex marriage proposal.
This is following the Vatican land mark ruling as administered last month, which though allows for same-sex individuals to be a part of a union blessed in marriage, but has caused widespread debate in Catholic churches across the globe.
The 87-year-old told the Italian Newspaper that when the blessings are given, priests who obliged should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it”.
However, he also states that, “Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” except for Africans with strong resistance who he considered “special case: for them, same-sex is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they won’t tolerate it.”
His statement reads in part:
“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the pope said.
In many African countries, open displays of homosexuality or an attempt to register a sex-same marriage attracts prison sentences, such as in Nigeria where it is punishable with up to 14 years in prison.
Read more: Fire Raze Furniture Shop in Ibadan Estate
About The Author
Related Articles
Human RightsNews
Teenager Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff Still on Trial for Criticising Sokoto Governor on TikTok
Five months after 18-year-old Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff was arrested for expressing her...
NewsSecurity
Drone Shooting: Algeria Military Claims Breakdown in Chain of Command
Tensions between Algeria and Mali have erupted into a full-blown diplomatic crisis...
NewsSports
CAF Champions League: Egypt’s Al Ahly, Pyramid and South Africa’s Pirates, Sundowns to Play Semi Final
The 2024/25 CAF Champions League semi-final stage is set as the four...
Human RightsNews
Exclusive: Nigerian Soldiers Accused of Torturing and Killing Community Nurse Ernest Owoicho in Benue State
On Saturday, April 5 2025, troops from Nigeria’s military task force, Operation...