Pope Francis seems to be extending a wider hand to same-sex Catholic couples.
The Pope recently suggested that Catholic priests consider all requests for blessings with “pastoral charity” regardless of sexuality. Priests were previously banned from the act in a 2021 decree by Pope Francis.
However, he has spoken more about blessing this couple on their journey to a better life. His pontificate has so far been characterized by a softer approach towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Pope Francis Seems Open To Blessing Same-Sex Couples
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According to BBC, Pope Francis suggested that the Catholic Church could begin blessing same-sex couples. When asked for clarity on the issue, he urged priests to serve all requests for blessings with “pastoral charity” regardless of sexuality.
He said, “We cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.” However, the pope also stated that the Church still sees same-sex relationships as “objectively sinful” and refuses to recognize them. The Church defines a blessing as a prayer or request offered by a priest, asking God to look favorably on the blessed person.
The request for clarification is one of many addressed by the pope ahead of a lengthy global conference to discuss the future of the Church. The meeting is scheduled to begin at the Vatican on Wednesday.
Blessing same-sex couples is a controversial topic in the Church, but there is slow acceptance in some countries, such as Belgium and Germany. Some bishops are reportedly beginning to allow their priests to bless same-sex couples despite the Church’s historical position against it.
Priests Have Previously Been Banned From Such Acts
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Pope Francis’ proposal to bless this couple is a marked change from his stance in 2021. At that time, he approved a decree from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, which prohibited priests from blessing any same-sex marriage.
The decree emphasizes that all LGTBQ+ unions are sinful and cannot be blessed. Even during the discussion on homosexuality that Pope Francis had this year, he spoke of it as not a crime but a sin.
Reacting to the 2021 decree, Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the Ministry of New Ways, described it as “impotent.” He said, per NCR“It will encourage Catholics in the pews and many Catholic leaders who are eager for such a blessing to happen to work harder in their support – and blessing – of same-sex couples.”
Pope Francis Speaks More About the Nature of Blessings
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In his explanation to the cardinals, Pope Francis did not specify whether the blessing would be given to same-sex unions or to the individual himself. He simply spoke of the request for the blessing as more of a plea to God to help lead a better life, which he says everyone is entitled to.
The Pope explained that the Church sees marriage as “an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman.” He said priests and believers should avoid “any type of ceremony or sacrament that might conflict with this conviction.” The Pope stated that the Church should always approach its relations with kindness, understanding, and tenderness.
He also said, “Pastoral wisdom must adequately distinguish whether there is a form of blessing, requested by one or more people, that does not convey the wrong concept of marriage.” The Pope seemed to say that this request should be considered case by case, because “canon law should not and cannot cover everything.”
Acceptance of Same-Sex Couples Has Been Slow
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Pope Francis’ explanation to the Cardinals is in line with several steps he has taken during his papacy, which shows a tendency to accept the LGBTQ+ community. He has made several moves to soften the way the Church approaches sexuality and other sensitive issues.
In 2018, the pope made headlines on social media for his words of abuse survivor Juan Carlos Cruz. He said, “It’s okay that you’re gay. God made you the way you are, and he loves you the way you are, and that doesn’t matter to me.”
The Pope has also encouraged open discussions for better pastoral outreach to the LGBTQ+ community.
Although highly controversial in the Catholic and Christian communities, his position has spread throughout the world. In February, the Church of England voted to back a proposal to allow blessing prayers for LGBTQ+ couples. If it does, same-sex couples can go to the Anglican church for a wedding gift.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
