Bishop Paul Kariuki of Catholic Diocese of Wote , the baby diocese curved from Machakos Diocese late this year, has prohibited priests in his diocese from blessings couples in irregular situations or same sex-couples .
In a turn round of events going contrary to Holy Father’s directive in the declaration of “Fiducia Supplicans”, Rt Rev Paul Kariuki has pleaded with his priests in his diocese to instead invite couples in same sex unions to life of repentance according to the gospel.
“Since this declaration ( Fiducia Supplicans) totally contradicts wht Pope Francis himself approved in 2021 concerning same-sex unions – that may no manner be blessed because the church may not ask God to bless sin, i hereby prohibit all priests in the Catholic Diocese of Wote from blessings couples in irregular situations or same-sex couples : for “it is not illicit to impart a blessing on relationships or partnerships, even stable , that involve sexual activity out of marriage” said Kariuki in a statement.
Bishop Paul Kariuki is the second bishop in Kenya to reject blessings of same-sex unions following Pope’s declaration.
Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo was the first in the country to prohibit priests in his region from undertaking such an exercise. In a statement dated December 18, Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo said blessing irregular relationships meant that the Catholic church permits such acts and would be “scandalous and a commission to a certain type of action and mission.”
In a document titled “Fiducia Supplicans” released days to Christmas, Holy Father sparked controversy after okaying the blessings of same-sex unions stating provided they were not confused with the traditional union of marriage and an insoluble relationships between man and woman.
Pope’s declaration has received wide resistance in Africa where 265 million Catholics out of 1.3 billion Catholics reside with bishops from Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria rejecting the declaration.
In a press briefing by The Kenya Catholic Bishops in Nairobi chaired by Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva, he didnt prohibit priest from blessings same-sex unions.He said the church work was to bring together the scattered , recovering the lost and re-directing sinners back to foundation of salvation.
