No Blessing of “irregular unions” in Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe: Bishops

“People living in an irregular union should not be ostracized from the Christian community, but should be helped, like all the faithful, to bring their lives into line with God's will through the closeness of the Church, which comforts, cares for and gives courage,” CEM members say.

They cite FS, saying it reminds that ‘Rites and prayers that may create confusion between marriage and what is contrary to it are inadmissible’ (no. 4) and that there is a ‘right and duty to avoid any kind of rite that may lead to confusion’ (no. 5). 

“For this reason, the document does not allow any ritual form for this blessing,” CEM members further say, adding that FS “affirms that the blessing presented as possible to be invoked over an irregular or same-sex union is not intended to legitimize these unions.:

They express their awareness of the fact “in the minds of many of the faithful and in common language, the term blessing is understood to mean legitimizing what is being blessed.”

On their part, CEAST members have also expressed their opposition to the blessing of people in same-sex unions, saying, “Informal blessings for irregular couples (homosexuals) should not take place in Angola and São Tomé.”

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“With regard to informal blessings for irregular couples (homosexuals), although they are sacramentally different from the liturgical blessing, we consider that in our cultural and ecclesial context they would create enormous scandal and confusion among the faithful,” CEAST members say.

In a statement dated December 22, they add, “What has been said in this Declaration regarding the blessing of same-sex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and paternal discernment of ordained ministers in this regard.”

FS, CEAST members say, “does not impose any uniform line, but leaves it to the 'prudent and paternal discernment' of the ministers to (decide) what to do. However, any attempt at ritualization, formalization or normativity must be rejected.”

“Most important issue for the socio-pastoral context of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, in the light of our culture and pastoral reality, is the document on access to the sacrament of baptism for adults who objectively live in sin and do not want to make amends,” Catholic |Bishops in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe say.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.