Editor's Review

“I hereby prohibit all priests in the Catholic Diocese of Wote from blessing couples in irregular situations or same-sex couples."

Bishop Paul Kariuki of the Catholic Diocese of Wote has barred all priests in his diocese from blessing same-sex couples.

In a statement on Wednesday, December 28, Kariuki said Pope Francis’ decision contradicts scripture and Catholic tradition on marriage and sexuality.

“I hereby prohibit all priests in the Catholic Diocese of Wote from blessing couples in irregular situations or same-sex couples: For "It is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage... as is the case of the unions between persons of the same-sex. The presence of such relationships of positive elements... cannot justify those relationships and render them legitimate objects of ecclesial blessings,” read the statement in part.

Kariuki noted that the declaration directs the priests to bless same-sex couples without specifying what exactly is being blessed, while on the other hand, it expressly forbids any ritual text that might specify it.

File image of Bishop Paul Kariuki.

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The Wote Diocese Bishop observed that the Vatican should have widely done enough consultation before releasing such a controversial declaration.

“I am of the opinion that Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez of the Discatery of Doctrine of Faith should have widely done enough consultation before releasing such a controversial declaration. His idea and thought that Cardinals and Bishops cannot prohibit what Pope Francis has permitted with Fiducia Supplicans is mistaken,” Bishop Kariuki added.

The statement comes days after Archbishop Philip Anyolo also opposed the decision to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.

Anyolo prohibited all the clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples.

"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, or same-sex couples,” Anyolo said in a statement.