Blessing same-sex unions goes against church teachings-Bishop Philip Anyolo

Any endorsement of same-sex relationships and activities, according to Philip Anyolo, the archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, would be contrary to both church doctrine and God's word.

Anyolo said in a statement that the proclamation accurately and clearly upholds traditional Catholic teaching regarding marriage and the family.

He added that it also covers the Catholic Church's opposition to homosexual marriage.

“To make sure the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the Declaration and the perennial teachings of the Church on marriage, is upheld, all Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, same sex couples,” he said.

According to Reverend Anyolo, church doctrine on marriage is based on more than just scripture and tradition.

“This declaration confirms and reiterates the perennial teaching of the Church that marriage is to be affirmed as an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union of a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children and that the Church does not have the power to impart blessings on unions of persons of the same sex,” he said.

He added that it is based on natural law, which is ingrained in every human being's heart, and that homosexual relationships are against African cultural tradition, reason, and nature.

“The African cultural traditions equally detests it as it is clearly against transmission of life,” he said

“The pastoral practices of the Church regarding marriage and family are always based on the Gospel of Christ which leads to eternal life and the enduring practices of the Church rooted in the Apostolic Tradition.”

Anyolo went on to explain that this is because the Church forbids people in atypical marriage arrangements from fully partaking in the sacramental life of the church.

Accordingly, he claimed, the idea of endorsing same-sex couples or non-traditional unions could be interpreted as approving the partnerships.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops issued an explanation on December 20 in response to Pope Francis's comments regarding same-sex couples' blessings.

They argued that the Pope did not support same-sex unions and did not permit priests to bless them liturgically.

The Pope's mandate, according to KCCB Chairman Martin Kivuva Musonde, was limited to inviting same-sex couples to church in the hopes that their salvation might change.

“This document seeks to awaken the invitation of all people to God's action and grace. The Church seeks to reach out to all individuals, to stir them to the path of conversion and salvation," he said.