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Coverage dated January 10, 2024

African Catholic Bishops Reject Vatican's Same-Sex Blessings

Headline from Voice of America

A December declaration by Pope Francis permits priests to offer non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples

Voice of America's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

7 articles, oldest first.

  1. Los Angeles Times

    Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses to allow same-sex blessings, saying such unions are contrary to God's will (opens Los Angeles Times)

    Published

    Los Angeles Times's feed description

    In the greatest rebuke yet to Pope Francis, the Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar issued a statement refusing to follow his declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples.

  2. NBC News

    Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings for being 'contrary to the will of God' (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    The controversy has deepened a growing chasm between Pope Francis’ progressive, reform-minded papacy and the conservative church in much of the world.

  3. The Daily Caller

    African Catholics Reject Vatican Document Allowing Spontaneous Same-Sex Couple Blessings: REPORT (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    Following the Vatican's decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, African Catholic bishops have opposed it, according to multiple reports.

  4. Aleteia

    Africans: Generally prefer not to bless same-sex couples (opens Aleteia)

    Published

    Aleteia's feed description

    In a statement called a synthesis of responses from African Episcopal Conferences, bishops of Africa say there generally won't be blessings of same-sex couples on their continent

  5. Religion News

    Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God's will (opens Religion News)

    Published

    Religion News's feed description

    VATICAN CITY (AP) — The controversy has deepened a growing chasm between Francis’ progressive, reform-minded papacy and the conservative church in much of the world

  6. Voice of America

    African Catholic Bishops Reject Vatican's Same-Sex Blessings (opens Voice of America)

    Published

    Voice of America's feed description

    A December declaration by Pope Francis permits priests to offer non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples

  7. America Magazine

    African bishops, with Pope Francis’ agreement, declare ‘No blessing for homosexual couples’ (opens America Magazine)

    Published

    America Magazine's feed description

    Reaffirming their fidelity to the pope and the Gospel, Catholic bishops in Africa have released a common response to a recent Vatican declaration, saying they “generally prefer” not to offer blessings to same-sex couples.

African Catholic Bishops Reject Vatican's Same-Sex Blessings | Since Then