The Vatican on Tuesday reinforced its long-standing support for monogamous marriage between one man and one woman, issuing a response to questions raised by African bishops about the widespread practice of polygamy within their communities.
A new document from the Vatican’s doctrine office noted that the Catholic Church’s teaching on the permanence of marriage as a lifelong bond is well known.
However, it added that the Church’s teaching on the exclusive and singular nature of monogamous marriage is far less familiar to many believers.
African bishops have frequently voiced concerns during recent Vatican gatherings, explaining that polygamy remains common among their faithful and requesting clearer guidance. The newly released text, “A Dear One: In Praise of Monogamy,” aims to address those concerns. It outlines the development of marriage through Scripture, poetry, Christian theology, philosophy, and decisions by past popes and councils.
The document spans 40 pages, includes 256 footnotes, and is currently available only in Italian. In the introduction, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the doctrine office and the document’s author, writes that the final chapter on “conjugal charity” and the conclusion contain the core message.
Catholic teaching maintains that the sacrament of marriage is a permanent and exclusive union between a man and a woman and must remain open to new life.
The closing section of the text touches on sexuality, procreation, and attraction within marriage, referencing Fernández’s earlier works. His past publications have drawn scrutiny, particularly after he was appointed by Pope Francis in 2023.
Critics resurfaced two out-of-print books, “Heal Me with Your Mouth. The Art of Kissing” and “The Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality”, both of which explore intimate themes and sparked controversy.
Fernández also authored one of the most debated documents of Francis’s papacy: the 2023 statement permitting Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. That directive was firmly rejected by African bishops, who issued a rare unified statement refusing to adopt it.
