Catholics in Africa Urged to Uphold Traditional Marriage, Shun “cultural experimentation” on Family

Organizers say the session would “courageously address some of the contested moral issues that came up in the last two years since the synodal conversation began in Africa.”

In their concept note, the theologians recall the seminar of delegates to represent the Church in Africa at the 2-29 October 2024 session of the Synod on Synodality in Rome that took place in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, earlier in the year where there was a general agreement that Catholic Bishops in Africa give clarity to the faithful of Africa on contested questions. 

“There was also a consensus among the Bishops and the other delegates that polygamy should not be framed as an African problem because there are other cultures outside Africa who embrace some form of polygamy or successive polygamy,” they say.

However, the theologians add, “there is the need to strengthen families in Africa. This requires a deepening of the foundations of marriage, sexual morality, and human rights in the faith formation of young people in Africa and in the catechesis for young couples.”  

Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of Cameroon’s Bamenda Catholic Archdiocese is expected to give the theme’s allocution, focusing on why Africa should speak with a clear voice on these matters not only at the Synod on Synodality but beyond. 

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Bishop George Bizimana of the Catholic Diocese of Ngozi in Burundi will answer the question why Catholics in Africa should uphold the traditional marriage and why the controversial document Fiducia Supplicans that was issued by Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith troubled many Catholics on the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent.

Another speaker, Sr. Nkechi Iwuoha is to explore the need for formation of young people in Africa on sexual ethics for them to resist the peer pressure they may face from their fellow young people. 

Finally, Dr. Chancel Likouka and Fr. Emmanuel Konvolbo who are working with young people in Africa are to share with the August 23 palaver participants what they are hearing from young people on contested issues about marriage and family, and the best practices that can be adopted in faith formation of young Africans.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.