Polygamy in Africa in the light of the Catholic theological thinking on marriage

Abstract

Polygamy has been a longstanding practice in Africa, predating the introduction of Catholicism. It has served essential functions within various cultural contexts on the continent. However, Catholic theological teachings emphasise monogamy as the ideal form of marriage, viewing it as a sacrament ordained by God, as emphasised in the Gospels and the writings of St. Paul. The Church maintains that no human power can change this. Despite this, some scholars do not agree with the Church's stance against polygamy and its condemnation, particularly in Africa, where they believe it still has a role to play. They argue that the Church's teachings on marriage fail to appreciate the values of polygamy in Africa. This paper critically reflects on the arguments in favour of polygamy in Africa, focusing mainly on their ability or inability to promote gender equality and human dignity within marriage. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Catholic theological thinking on marriage is more conducive to mutual self-giving, love, equality, and respect among spouses than polygamy. The methodology employed is hermeneutical-critical reading of existing literature on the subject matter.