Moses Kuria Backs Archbishop Anyolo's Decision, Tells Pope Kenya Can't Allow LGBTQ Unions

• Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS), Moses Kuria, said the same-sex couples in the Kenyan Church
• Kuria said Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo was right in defying Pope Francis's directives allowing clergy to bless same-sex couple
• In a statement, Anyolo clarified that the directive by Pope Francis goes against African cultural traditions

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has lauded the Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, for defying Pope Francis's directive allowing clergy to bless same-sex couples.

CS Kuria praises Archbishop Anyolo

In a statement on Monday, December 25, Kuria said the position taken by the Nairobi Archbishop represents the position of all members of the Kenyan Catholic Church.

According to Kuria, Kenya will never allow LGBTQ unions, despite the strong respect the country has for the Pope.

"The decision by Archbishop Anyolo on the blessing of same-sex couples is the position of all of us from the Roman Catholic Church in Kenya. We will never accept same-sex couples in the Kenyan Church, with utmost and most profound respect and reverence for the Pope." Kuria said

As reported earlier, the Pope, who is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, said that priests should be permitted to bless same-sex couples and irregular couples under certain circumstances.

Why Archbishop Anyolo defied Pope Francis

The Vatican, through a document on December 19, said it should be a sign that "God welcomes all" but maintained priests should decide on a case-by-case basis.

However, according to a statement sent to parishioners, Anyolo said such an activity would be scandalous to the faith.

Daily Nation reported that Anyolo clarified that the directive by Pope Francis goes against African cultural traditions, the word of God, the laws of Kenya, and the teachings of the church.

"To make sure the fundamental doctrinal positions affirmed in the declaration and the perennial teachings of the church on marriage are upheld, all clergy residing and ministering in the Nairobi Archdiocese are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples," he said in a letter to parishioners.