By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, November 7, 2023 – Catholic Religious leaders in Africa continue to send out a strong message against homosexuality following the conclusion of the first assembly of the Synod of Synodality. The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, commonly referred to as the Synod on Synodality was under the theme: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.”
One of the bones of contention heading into synod was the aspect of homosexuality with Pope Francis having noted that homosexuality is not a crime and that any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin. Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, one of 16 prelates who make up the synod’s ordinary council that oversees the running of the process, has said the assembly went “much better” than he expected and that the “conversation in the spirit,” an innovation to tone down polemics, was helpful as it “calmed down tempers.”
“In Africa, we understand marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and anything short of that is witchcraft,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea said. “This is something we said very strongly.”
“As a synod council member, … I understood, listening to the arguments, that this synod is not about change of doctrine. This synod is about journeying together, whatever journeying together means. I think those of us who came in there as faithful, adherent to the doctrine of the Church, were more or less surprised that the arguments were not as strong as we had imagined.”
Archbishop Andrew Nkea added: “We are open to many things. From Africa, we argued about polygamy not because we want polygamy legalized, but because we want accompaniment. Now, we in Africa are given the chance to set up theological commissions, study polygamy and get pastoral directives that would adapt to that situation in Africa. This is a big opening.
“Although there are some accidentals that will change, the essence will not change. To start a conversation with polygamists, we had to insert the word “conversion.” Conversion to the values of the Gospel. Whether we’re talking to ‘LGBT’ people or we’re talking to polygamists or we’re talking about ourselves, there must always be the call to conversion, conversion to the Gospel. What are the Gospel values? Entering into dialogue with all of these people is always given conversion. If we take that out, then we stop being evangelical. We are no longer backed by the Gospel.”
“The stand of the church is very clear about it. I don’t even need to say it myself … the issue is also being handled at the synod,” Archbishop Baptist John Odama of Gulu, Uganda, told OSV News in a telephone conversation. “Those acts are not OK,” he said.
The church teaches that “men and women with homosexual tendencies ‘must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided,'” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It also teaches that sexual love is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman.
In Kenya, the bishops have remained consistent in their opposition to homosexual activity.” LGBT is illegal in Kenya and should be prohibited. … We are talking about human values and how God has created his nature. If we do this (allow homosexuality), we are fighting against nature,” Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, Kenya, told journalists in March.
“And honestly, nature cannot forgive. It is very cruel when it’s affected or attacked in one way or another,” he said. Requests from OSV News for comment since then have remained unanswered.
Some African prelates also said the continent has more pressing issues, including droughts, climate change and the rising cost of living.
In Africa, most countries have laws that criminalize homosexuality. Of the 66 countries that criminalize homosexuality worldwide, over 30 are in Africa. The law criminalizing the acts is seen as colonial relics that are vague in their wording, according to analysts, pointing to such terms as “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” that appear in the legislation.
