same-sex couples - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

By RENEE MALTEZOU and ANGELIKI KOUTANTOU

Greek same-sex couples race to wed after historic vote

YOLANDA Kalantzi and Georgia Ampatzidou kissed when Greek lawmakers voted to allow same-sex civil marriages, then joined other couples making plans for their big days. The historic bill that parliament approved overnight also allowed same-sex couples to adopt children - another big step as Ampatzidou can now legally adopt their son. "When we heard that the bill passed we were deeply touched," said Kalantzi, who with Ampatzidou had travelled 500 km (300 miles) to be inside parliament for the vote. The couple have already booked a DJ and a photographer for their May wedding. "There is no return. I must have…

Jan

2024

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Pope defends same-sex blessings declaration, says it is misunderstood

WORLD

POPE Francis on Sunday defended a landmark decision approving blessings for same-sex couples, suggesting that those in the Catholic Church who have resisted it have jumped to "ugly conclusions" because they do not understand it. In a television interview, Francis made his first public comments since the December 18 declaration sparked widespread debate in the Church, with bishops in some countries, particularly in Africa, refusing to let their priests implement it. "Sometimes decisions are not accepted, but in most cases when decisions are not accepted, it is because they are not understood," Francis said in response to a specific question about the…

Jan

2024

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Vatican moves to calm bishops over same-sex blessings approval

NEWS

THE Vatican moved to calm Catholic bishops in some countries who have baulked over last month's approval of blessings for same-sex couples, telling them that the measure is not "heretical" or "blasphemous". In a five-page statement, the Vatican's doctrinal office also acknowledged that such blessings could be "imprudent" in some countries where people who receive them might become targets of violence, or risk prison or even death. Catholic bishops in some countries, particularly in Africa, have expressed various degrees of dissent over the December 18 declaration, known by its Latin title Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which was approved by Pope Francis.…

Dec

2023

By ABRAHAM ACHIRGA

In Nigeria and much of Africa, Catholic same-sex couples see no blessings soon

NEWS

NIGERIAN Catholic couple Jane and Lucy have little hope their local parish church will bless their same-sex union anytime soon, as conservative priests across Africa choose to ignore a landmark Vatican ruling allowing such blessings. Conservative Catholics condemned the Vatican's declaration two weeks ago, which was approved by Pope Francis, that will allow blessings for same-sex couples, as long as they are not part of the regular Church rituals or liturgies. The pope has hit back against the criticism and what he called inflexible ideological positions that hinder the Church from moving forward. But in many African countries, such as the continent's most…

Dec

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling

WORLD

THE Vatican said in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies. A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in 2021, said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all. It should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage, it added. It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and "should not prevent or prohibit the…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Same-sex couple fight for children’s citizenship

NEWS

KIRTHANA PILLAY and SISIPHO SKWEYIYA WHEN Namibian Phillip Lühl and his Mexican husband Guillermo Delgado decided to start a family, they did not realise how difficult it would be. The same-sex couple is battling to obtain Namibian citizenship for their 2-year-old son, while their one-month-old twin daughters are stuck in South Africa because Namibian authorities want Lühl to show genetic proof he is the father before providing them with travel documents. Lühl said that while the couple - married in South Africa - never experienced any discrimination in Namibia, their predicament began after their son was born in 2019 via…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope Francis is moving Catholics toward a more expansive understanding of family

RELIGION

JULIE HANLON RUBIO, Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University POPE Francis referred to gay people as “children of God” in a recently released documentary, “Francesco.” He further noted that “a civil union law” needs to be created so gays are “legally covered.” The Vatican later confirmed the pope’s comments, but clarified that the church doctrine remained unchanged. Public support for civil unions from Pope Francis is not entirely new. When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, and again in a 2014 interview, he spoke about civil unions for same-sex couples. While the Vatican…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

What does the Pope’s support for gay civil unions mean for LGBT+ rights?

LGBT+

OSCAR LOPEZ POPE Francis has signalled a softening towards LGBT+ rights with his comments that same-sex couples should be protected by civil union laws and have the right to form a family. In some of his clearest language on the subject since his election in 2013, the pontiff said in a documentary "Francesco" released on Wednesday that gay couples needed legal rights. "Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," he said. The pope's views…