The Vatican on Monday, the 2nd of October, published what Pope Francis wrote in July, after cardinals had made public their dissatisfaction with the Pope’s answers, where he indicated that priests could bless same-sex couples, but under specific conditions and without equating such blessings with heterosexual weddings, according to Reuters.
The statement came in response to a formal set of questions – known as dubia (doubts in Latin) – sent to the Pope by five conservative cardinals representing different regions of the world on issues related to the global meeting taking place at the Vatican on Wednesday. One of the questions concerned the practice of priests blessing same-sex couples who have entered a relationship, which has become acceptable in some regions, notably Germany.
Pope Francis’ response to the cardinals’ questions marked a departure from the Vatican’s 2021 ruling, which explicitly opposed the blessing of same-sex couples.
In his seven-point response, the Pope reiterated the Church’s position that the sacrament of marriage is reserved for a man and a woman, stressing the openness to procreation. He advised against any ritual or sacrament that contradicts this teaching. However, he stressed that “pastoral charity should permeate all our decisions and attitudes”, noting to adapt a move towards an
approach that is not merely of denial, rejection or exclusion.
Pope Francis acknowledged that asking for blessings, even in cases of “objectively morally unacceptable” actions, can be a way for people to seek a better life with God. He stressed that such blessings should not become the norm and receive general approval from Church.
Church teaching distinguishes between same-sex attraction, which is not sinful, and homosexual acts, which are considered sinful.
Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry welcomed the Pope’s response, seeing it as an affirmation that
the Church recognises the possibility of holy love for same-sex couples,
although understanding that it is not a full blessing for them.
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