The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan archbishop Hubertus van Megen has insisted that the Catholic church does not approve of same-sex union.
He clarified that the recent declaration by the Pope, urging priests to bless same-sex unions, does not signify the church’s approval of such unions. Instead, it is intended to bring individuals in such unions closer to God and aid them in overcoming their sins.
Presiding over the ordination of eight deacons at the Eldoret Sacred Heart Cathedral, Archbishop Hubertus said the blessings were intended for individual persons and not a blessing of the relationship, emphasizing that such a blessing goes against Christian teachings.
Accompanying the nuncio, Archbishop Dominic Kimengich further stated that the church acknowledges marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman, and thus, the Pope’s declaration does not in any way endorse same-sex unions.
African Context
Bishop Kimengich asserted that, particularly in the African context, it should not be labeled as a blessing. Instead, he referred to it as a prayer for individuals in such unions, which he characterized as sinful, with the hope for a transformation.
In his homily, the Nuncio warned the clergy against aligning themselves with politicians, emphasizing that such alliances have resulted in the church being exploited by both clergy and politicians for their personal gains.
He pointed out that once the clergy align themselves with politicians, they forfeit their independence, effectively becoming subservient to the politicians.
Therefore, he urged the newly ordained deacons to follow the example of Christ, who was born in the humblest of places, and to extend a helping hand to the poor and downtrodden.
The archbishop pointed out that the wise men initially sought Jesus at Herod’s palace, assuming that the true king would be born among the powerful. However, they discovered that the real king was found among the downtrodden.
Archbishop Hubertus van Megen encouraged the deacons to emulate the wise men by seeking Christ among the poor.
