The Vatican, on Thursday, issued a clarification regarding its recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples, addressing concerns raised by certain bishops, especially in Africa.

In a five-page statement, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Holy See’s office responsible for doctrinal orthodoxy, emphasized doctrinal consistency while acknowledging the need for additional time for “pastoral reflection” among certain bishops’ conferences.

The statement clarified that there is no doctrinal deviation from the recent declaration authorizing blessings for same-sex couples.

“There is no room to distance ourselves doctrinally from this Declaration or to consider it heretical, contrary to the Tradition of the Church, or blasphemous,” asserted the Dicastery.

Acknowledging the diverse pastoral challenges faced by bishops’ conferences, the statement stressed the importance of prudence and attention to local ecclesial and cultural contexts.

However, it insisted that bishops should not completely deny the path proposed by the pope.

In situations where laws condemn individuals for declaring their homosexuality, resulting in severe penalties, the Dicastery deemed such blessings imprudent.

It clarified that the bishops’ intent is not to expose homosexual persons to violence.

The original declaration emphasized that priests could bless same-sex couples, divorcées, or unmarried couples only in “non-ritualized” contexts and not in connection to weddings or civil unions.

The December document sparked controversy among conservative Catholics, particularly in countries like Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zambia and Malawi’s bishops’ conferences were among those expressing reservations about implementing the new policy.

Zambia’s bishops cited the country’s laws against homosexuality and cultural heritage rejecting same-sex relationships.

Malawi’s bishops explicitly stated that blessings for same-sex unions would not be permitted.

Pope Francis, since his election in 2013, has consistently advocated for a more inclusive Church, welcoming all faithful, including the LGBTQ communities.