The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi has denied report that Pope Francis has granted permission for Catholic Priest across the world to bless same-sex marriages.
In a strong response, the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Suyani Diocese explained that the blessings the Pope mentioned for gays and lesbians are not the same as blessings intended for couples or unions; rather, they are blessings intended for all Catholics across the globe.
According to Bishop Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Church understands blessings as a gift that God gives for people to become ‘holier’ hence not exclusive for only the righteousness.
“The Vatican was explaining what, in the Catholic Church, we call blessings and which category of people or saints should be blessed. Somebody asked if same-sex couples can also come to receive blessings, and the Pope said yes, just like any other Catholic goes to the priest for blessings or prayers. We don’t ask what sin he is in or does, but once the person asks for blessings, you give the blessing, and it is an expression of humility”.
Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi
The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference further recounted that in any instances where gay or lesbian couples go for blessings from the priest, the blessings the priest offer them are meant for them as people and not for their union.
He thus urged the general public, particularly Catholics in the country to appreciate the blessings that Pope Francis asked to be given to gay or lesbian couples as Christian and Catholics and not contradict it to blessings of same sex marriage by the Catholic Church.
“We have different sets of prayers, different liturgies, and different blessings for marriage. But when they are coming for the normal, ordinary blessings that we give to everybody, they should all receive this blessing. So, we should make a clear distinction between gays and lesbians who have gone to a priest for blessings and these same people going to the priest and saying, ‘We want you to bless our union as a marriage”.
Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi
Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Comes Under Criticisms
Meanwhile Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning, the Executive Secretary of the National Coalition of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values (NCPHSRFV) has sternly warned the chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi for allegedly stalling the passage of the anti-LGBTQI bill.
Reacting to the news of the Mr Anyimadu absence in Parliament during the consideration stage of the Bill before its passage, Lawyer Foh-Amoaning while addressing the media at the event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Coalition said the lawmaker will face the consequences of his actions.
“So, for Anyimadu, who is the leader and an NPP member, to be saying that we will see, well, we will see where he himself will be by next year. We will see. Trust me, Anyimadu will pay the price for the position he has adopted”.
Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning
Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning however, admonished President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration which drove its campaign with the famous ‘The battle is the Lord’s’ mantra to ensure the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Additionally, Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning urged political party leaders to openly state their stances on the LGBTQ+ Bill, including independent candidate Alan Kyerematen and flagbearers of the two leading political parties in the country, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Former President John Dramani Mahama.
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