The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference President, Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has reiterated that same-sex unions and marriages are not sanctioned by Catholic priests.

This comes after reports that Pope Francis has officially allowed Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, which have caused conflicting reactions on social media.

In an interview with Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Tuesday, Rev. Gyamfi made it clear that Pope Francis neither authorized nor directed Catholic priests to perform marriage blessings for gay and lesbian couples.

The Vatican’s “Fiducia Supplicans,” which was issued on December 21, clarified that Catholic priests are not permitted to bless same-sex marriages. Rev. Gyamfi made this clear in a statement that was made public on the same day.

The pastoral care of people in same-sex relationships, providing them with spiritual support and guidance, is the primary focus of the document, he stressed.

The declaration, he said, also mentioned a number of instances in which people, whether at shrines, on pilgrimages, or even just meeting a priest on the street, asked for a blessing (prayer) on an unknown occasion.

“The Declaration makes a distinction between liturgical (sacramental) blessings and pastoral blessings, which may be given to persons who desire God’s loving graces in their lives. The Declaration says that these pastoral blessings “are meant for everyone; no one is to be excluded from them” (par. 28).”

The ordained minister could also ask for the people to have peace, health, a spirit of patience, communication, and mutual assistance in a brief prayer that precedes this spontaneous blessing (par. 38). He also added this.

Rev. Gyamfi continued, saying that everyone should be able to receive these blessings as per the statement.

“The Declaration deals with the possibility of “blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage”.