Members of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi have rebuffed a plea from Pope Francis to extend blessings to same-sex marriages. The rejection, stated in a joint declaration signed by President of the Conference, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala said the position of the Conference is to prevent confusion among the faithful.

The Bishops clarified that their decision does not imply endorsement of same-sex unions as sacramental marriages. Archbishop Tambala emphasized that the Pope’s doctrinal declaration, which stirred controversy, pertains to ordinary blessings applicable to various aspects of life, not specifically addressing same-sex unions.

The declaration is not about the blessing of same-sex unions and sacramental endorsement of the same as married couples, no. This is a document prompted by questions to the congregation of the Doctrine of Faith regarding whether or not the blessings of God through His Ministers can be extended to everybody regardless of their state,” the statement reads.

“The Pope’s approval, conveyed through a Vatican doctrinal declaration, suggests that same-sex couples could be blessed without formal rituals or the impression of a marriage.”