Africa’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights rooted in biblical teachings, not culture, says Archbishop

CAMEROON – A leading African archbishop has dismissed claims that cultural factors were the primary reason behind Africa’s rejection of LGBTQ+ rights and the ordination of female deacons, stating that the continent’s stance is based on Biblical teachings.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of the Bamenda Archdiocese in Cameroon addressed these issues during the August 23 session of the ongoing weekly synodal discussions, organized by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM).

The discussions, part of the multi-year Synod on Synodality extended by Pope Francis to 2024, focused on contentious topics such as LGBTQ+ rights and the ordination of female deacons and priests.

Archbishop Nkea asserted that Africa’s position was not derived from cultural perspectives but from adherence to the teachings of the Church.

“When we went to the Synod, it was clear that Africa had to take responsibility for its own destiny. We knew we had to make our voice heard,” Nkea said, as reported by CRUX.

“Our stand had nothing to do with culture; it was about fidelity to the truth, to what Christ taught, and to what the Apostles handed down to generations.”

Johan Viljoen, Director of the Denis Hurley Institute of the Bishops’ Conference of Southern Africa, supported Nkea’s view, arguing that Africa’s stance on these controversial issues is not primarily cultural.

“If these issues are rejected in Europe and North America, it is blamed on homophobia and misogyny, not culture,” he said.

Nkea also responded to perceptions that Africans lack the intellectual capacity to understand their own culture and civilization, questioning whether there was an assumption of an “inferior African brain” when it comes to reflecting on these matters.

He further emphasised that Africa’s rejection of the blessing of gay marriages, an issue raised in the synodal discussions, was based on longstanding Church teachings, not cultural reasons.

He criticized the “Fiducia Supplicans” document, which was seen to authorize blessings for same-sex couples and other “irregular situations,” and declared Africa’s continued “vehement rejection” of the document at the upcoming second session of the Synod in Rome.

On the issue of the ordination of women, Nkea highlighted Church tradition as the basis for Africa’s stance, dismissing claims that the opposition was rooted in cultural underdevelopment.

The archbishop also criticised the “tent” image proposed in the Synod’s synthesis report, arguing it symbolises conquest and capture and does not reflect Africa’s reality.

“For us, tents mean refugees pursued by predators who want to steal our wealth. We rejected the tent,” he explained.

The second session of the Synod on Synodality is scheduled to take place in Rome from October 2-29.

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