Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has come out to clarify Pope Francis's remarks on the blessing of same-sex couples.
They said the Pope did not allow priests to liturgically bless same-sex couples and neither did he endorse the union.
KCCB Chairman Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde explained that the directive by the Pope was only to welcome those in same-sex unions to church in hopes that salvation will change them.
"This document seeks to awaken the invitation of all people to God's action and grace. The Church seeks to reach out to all individuals, to stir them to the path of conversion and salvation," he said.
Musonde acknowledged that people are wondering if the Catholic Church is endorsing and approving "Same-Sex Marriages or changing the understanding of "Marriage, as a Sacrament of the Church, between a man and a woman".
Musonde said the Holy Father has constantly asked Priest to have open hearts as a Church, where all, irrespective of their moral status, can feel welcome.
He said the letter by the Holy Father only expands the scope of "Church Blessings to include "Simple blessings that are not given in a liturgical setting".
"The document recognizes that anyone, irrespective of their moral life or faith condition are welcome to receive blessings from the Church or a Church minister," Musonde said.
Musonde said the Church does not withhold a blessing to an individual who seeks it with an attitude of truth and faith.
He said the blessing can be given even to non-Catholics, or non-Christians who honestly wish to receive God's blessing.
The document, Musonde said, does not change in any way the understanding of marriage as a Sacrament in the Church, an indissoluble union between a man and a woman, for life.
"This Declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion."
"This declaration does not in any way approve of "Same-sex Marriages" nor try to give a back-door recognition of such a union," he said.
Musonde said the Church can not confer its liturgical blessings on relations deemed morally wrong.
"In our African context, while recognizing the confusion existing in the more developed countries, of new unchristian models of "conjugal union and "styles of life", we are very clear on what a family and marriage is," he said.
Musonde said in blessing persons, the Church does not bless the immoral actions they may perform but hopes that the blessing and prayers offered over them as human persons will provoke them to conversion and to return to the ways of the Lord.
He said the work of the Church is to gather the scattered, recover the lost, and redirect all sinners back to the fount salvation and of eternal life, and that is Jesus Christ.