Nairobi Bishop Defies Pope Francis On Blessing Of Same-Sex Couples
Anyolo argued that the decision goes against the traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage and family,
Marvin Chege 
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi Philip Anyolo has opposed Pope Francis' declaration allowing Catholic Priests to bless same-sex marriages.
In a statement seen by Viral Tea, Anyolo argued that the decision goes against the traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage and family, including the disapproval of the Catholic Church of homosexual unions.
He referred to the Fiducia Supplicans declaration which advocates for the recognition of an institution of marriage as only a union between a man and a woman.
"This Declaration confirms and reiterates the perennial teaching of the Church that marriage is to be affirmed as an "exclusive, stable and indissoluble union of a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children" and that the "Church does not have the power to impart blessings on unions of persons of the same sex".
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi Philip Anyolo. /ARCHDIOCESE OF NAIROBI COMMUNICATIONS
"The teaching of the Church on marriage is not only rooted in Scripture and Tradition but also on natural law written into the hearts of every human being," read the statement in part.
According to the archbishop, homosexual unions are against reason, against nature and African cultural tradition.
They are also condemned by the word of God, and the African cultural traditions equally detest it as it is clearly against the transmission of life.
Anyolo further noted that pastoral practices of the Church regarding marriage and family are always based on the Gospel of Christ which leads to "eternal life", and the enduring practices of the Church rooted in the Apostolic Tradition.
"It is for this reason that the Church excludes those living in irregular situations of marriage from full sacramental participation in the life of the Church, as they are invited to remedy their objectively sinful situation and are accompanied by pastoral care.
"The concept of "blessing" means approval, permission, or even a commission for a certain type of action and mission. Just as from a "liturgical point of view, a blessing requires that what is blessed be conformed to God's will", so too, even blessing outside of the liturgical rite requires whatever is blessed confirms to God's will," he argued.
He further noted that the concept of "blessing" is perceived by many as "permission", especially as "permission to sin" and also as "normalising" this form of lifestyle, thus, the notion of blessing same-sex couples, or irregular unions, can be perceived as legalizing these relationships, which the Church has no authority to do in faithfulness to the Gospel and the institution of marriage.
As a result, he declared that all Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples.
This he said will ensure that the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the Vatican document, and the perennial teachings of the Church on marriage, are upheld.
"To make sure the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the Declaration, and the perennial teachings of the Church on marriage are upheld, all Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples.
"Any form of blessing of same-sex unions and activities would go against God's word, the teachings of the Church, the African cultural traditions, the laws of our nations, and would be scandalous to the faithful," he directed.
On December 20, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops came out to clarify Pope Francis's remarks on the blessing of same-sex couples, stating that the Pope did not allow priests to liturgically bless same-sex couples and neither did he endorse the union.
KCCB Chairman Martin Kivuva Musonde explained that the directive by the Pope was only to welcome those in same-sex unions to church in hopes that salvation will change, further noting that when the Church bestows blessings upon people, it doesn't endorse or approve of any immoral behaviour or actions they might engage in.
He also argued that the intention behind these blessings and prayers is to encourage personal transformation and a return to a righteous way of life per the teachings of the Church and God.
The statement by the Pope had elicited debate from Kenyans both in the religious as well as political spheres.
