Pope Francis: Catholic Priests Can Now Bless Same-Sex Couples
Reading Time: < 1 minute
519
According to a Vatican document approved by the Pope, the blessings should only be carried out if they are not part of any liturgies or a civil union.
The document stipulates that the church must shy away from “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelising, one analyses and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying.”
A landmark ruling from the Vatican’s doctrinal office stipulates that “Priests should not prevent or prohibit the church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing”
James Martin, a popular Jesuit priest, who ministers to gay Catholics was backed up by Pope Francis. He termed the ruling as a” step forward in the Church’s ministry to same-sex couples” and a shift from the Vatican’s 2021 stance. In 2021, a ruling from the Vatican doctrine office barred any blessings asserting that “God cannot bless sin.”
In a post on the X platform, Martin said the document, “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence in their loving relationships, along with many priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex unions”.
519
FR