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Clergy of the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships and unions, as well as same-sex couples, as this is against the traditions and laws of Africa and religion, Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi wrote in a letter to parishioners and clergy.
"To make sure the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the Declaration, and the perennial teachings of the Church on marriage, is upheld, all Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples," Anyolo said in the letter as quoted by local media.
He reasoned that any move to bless same-sex couples "would be contrary to the Word of God, the teachings of the Church, African cultural traditions, the laws of our countries, and would be scandalous to the faithful."
In addition, the archbishop reportedly noted that Catholic teaching on marriage and the family "refutes homosexual unions."
In July, Kenya's Homa Bay County MP Peter Kaluma tabled a "Family Protection Bill" in the country's parliament that seeks, among other things, to ban homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and gender reassignment prescriptions or procedures.
As for neighboring Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni in late May signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, which criminalizes same-sex relations and provides for the death penalty for certain crimes, such as homosexual acts with a minor child.
The bill, which authorities say is meant to protect the country's cultural, religious and family values, prompted the World Bank to suspend loans to Uganda and Washington to impose sanctions on Ugandan officials linked to the law.