The Vatican released a major document this week. It tackles a thorny issue that African bishops have raised repeatedly. Polygamy remains widespread in many African Catholic communities, and church leaders wanted guidance on how to handle it.

A 40-Page Defense of Monogamy

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández authored the new text called “One Flesh: In Praise of Monogamy.” The 40-page document includes 256 footnotes. It traces marriage through the Bible, Christian theology, philosophy, and church history.

The Vatican’s doctrine chief says the text celebrates monogamy rather than condemns polygamy. He frames the message around protecting spousal dignity, especially for women. “Those who truly love know that the other person cannot be a means to an end,” Fernández explains in the document.

The cardinal suggests that unhealthy desires lead to violence and control. These problems include oppression, psychological pressure, and suffocation. He links these issues to infidelity as well.

African Bishops Have Been Asking for Years

African church delegates have raised polygamy concerns at multiple Vatican meetings. They’ve brought up the issue during papal visits too. Many Catholics in Africa practice polygamy despite church teachings against it.

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage forms a lifelong union between one man and one woman. This bond should remain exclusive and open to children. But the Vatican admits its stance on monogamy’s unique nature hasn’t been well known or understood.

The new document aims to fill that knowledge gap. However, critics question whether a European institution should dictate family structures in African contexts where polygamy has deep cultural roots.

A Controversial Author

Fernández brings baggage to this discussion. Pope Francis appointed him as doctrine prefect in 2023. Conservatives immediately attacked him over his past writings about sexuality.

Two out-of-print books caused major controversy. “Heal Me with Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing” and “The Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality” both explored sexual themes. The second book included graphic descriptions of anatomy and discussed orgasms in mystical experiences.

The Vatican didn’t list these titles when announcing Fernández’s appointment. That omission raised questions about transparency.

Fernández also wrote another divisive document in 2023. It allowed priests to bless same-sex couples. African bishops rejected that statement in an unprecedented unified rebuke. They refused to follow the directive.

The Deeper Questions

This new document raises uncomfortable questions about cultural colonialism. Can the Vatican truly understand marriage practices in communities with different histories and social structures? African societies developed polygamy for economic, social, and survival reasons over centuries.

Women’s dignity sits at the center of the Vatican’s argument. Church officials claim monogamy protects women better than polygamy. But some African Catholic women in polygamous families might disagree. Their lived experiences don’t always match Vatican assumptions.

The document also highlights ongoing tensions between Rome and African churches. African Catholicism represents the faith’s fastest-growing region. Yet African bishops often feel ignored when they request locally relevant guidance.

What Happens Next

The Vatican published this document only in Italian. That choice seems odd for guidance meant primarily for African bishops. Translation will take time, delaying its impact.

African church leaders now face a dilemma. They can enforce strict monogamy rules and risk alienating community members. Or they can find pastoral workarounds that respect both church teaching and local realities.

Many observers expect this document won’t end the conversation. Polygamy remains too embedded in African cultures for a Vatican paper to change centuries of practice. The real work happens on the ground, where priests and bishops navigate complex family situations daily.

The church’s struggle with polygamy reflects broader challenges. Global institutions must balance universal principles with local contexts. Getting that balance right remains elusive, especially when Western authorities make rules for non-Western communities.