The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has reacted to the planned approval of same-s*x marriages by Catholic Church, saying it would maintain a dignified silence on the matter.
The Vatican had published a letter by Pope Francis addressed to a group of Cardinals who asked him for clarity on same-s*x union.
The Pontiff reiterated that though the Church only recognised marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but could open the door for blessings of individuals in same-s*x unions.
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The Pope said “pastoral charity” required patience and understanding, adding that Priests should not become judges “who only deny, reject and exclude”.
He said a blessing requested was a plea for God’s help to live a better life, even in situations that were “not morally acceptable”.
The religious leader said priests should not only treat people as sinners because they might not fully be at fault for their situations.
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Pope Francis suggested that blessing gay unions should not become an official rule but should be decided case by case “because the life of the church runs on channels beyond norms”.
Contacted, the Administrative Secretary of the PFN, Pastor Akinwale Akinola said, “You know he (Pope) is a Catholic and every bloc has its ideology. The PFN will just maintain a dignified silence for now.
“If you remember when the Church of England endorsed same-sex marriage, there were agreements and disagreement among themselves; the Anglican Church in Nigeria refused to comment on it.
“The former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop Peter Akinola, was silent on it and did not say anything.”