THE VATICAN HAS received an interim report on the challenges posed by Catholics and potential converts who are in polygamous relationships.

At the historic Synod that was convened by the late Pope Francis, many hot button issues, such as the place of LGBTQ+ people within the Church and whether women should be ordained, were discussed openly.

In March 2024, these topics were sent out to study groups to consider and interim reports were published this week.

The deadline for delivering the final reports to Pope Leo XIV has been set for 31 December.

But another issue that was raised at the Synod and later sent out to a study group was that of polygamy.

While the Church defines marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, Catholic bishops in Africa have noted that polygamy is a “prevalent reality in many African countries”.

During Synodal discussions, it was noted that polygamy poses a “significant pastoral challenge” for the Church in Africa.

“This challenge arises both from individuals who were already in polygamous relationships before embracing the faith, as well as baptised members who enter into polygamy after their conversion,” read a statement arising from discussions at the Synod.

The Church in Africa called for an “in-depth study on how to accompany individuals living in polygamous situations”.

It called for an approach that would “emphasise closeness, active listening, and support, offering accompaniment without judgment, while upholding the Truth of the Gospel”.

A team of 12 experts from across Africa have been at work on the topic of polygamy and have shared its draft document with the Vatican.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the president of the group examining the “pastoral challenges of polygamy”.

In an interim report published this week, he wrote that the Vatican has shared “encouraging feedback, along with specific considerations to be addressed” from the draft document.

The team of experts say they wish to consider which pastoral care is “appropriate” for those in polygamous relationships while “supporting Christians in embracing monogamous marriage”.

The draft has been returned to the 12-strong team of experts for further refinement ahead of the 31 December deadline for the final report to be submitted.

The draft document was also presented and discussed by Bishops and theologians at an event held in Rwanda over the summer and insights from this will also inform the final document.

At that assembly in Rwanda, it was proposed that the Church welcome people in polygamous relationships, make them feel a part of the Church, and emphasise conversion as the “primary goal”.

Sr. Esther Lucas Jose Maria told the assembly that many people living in polygamous relationships “ask for Baptism or other Sacraments and sometimes we have no answer to them”.

She added that “we can’t oblige these people to change” and that the Church has to “open doors and accept them to come in”.

Meanwhile, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will publish a new document on marriage at the end of the month in the context of ongoing discussions about polygamy in Africa.