Pope suggests Catholic Church could bless same-sex marriages

Pope suggests Catholic Church could bless same-sex marriages: Pope Francis has made it known that the Catholic Church should approve of same-sex partnerships. EnoughInfo.com

The Vatican said in 2021 that the Catholic Church would not sanction homosexual weddings because God “cannot bless sin.”

However, the Vatican released a letter from Pope Francis to a group of cardinals late on Monday in response to their request for clarification.

Pope suggests Catholic Church could bless same-sex marriages

The Pope’s emphasis on “pastoral charity” suggests a willingness to address the pastoral needs of same-sex couples. And also extend understanding and support to them, according to a representative of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), who chose to remain anonymous.

The Pontiff reaffirmed that although the church might grant blessings to those who are in same-sex relationships, the church only recognizes marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

The pope said that priests shouldn’t turn into judges “who only deny, reject, and exclude” and that “pastoral charity” requires tolerance and understanding.

He said that requesting a blessing was a prayer for God’s assistance in leading a better life, even in circumstances that were “not morally acceptable”.

Priests, according to the religious leader, shouldn’t always consider individuals as sinners because they might not be entirely to blame for their circumstances.

Because the church’s existence “runs on channels beyond norms,” Pope Francis indicated that blessing homosexual couples should not become a general rule but rather be determined on a case-by-case basis.

He wrote:

 “The Church has a very clear understanding of marriage: an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to procreation.

“Only this union can be called marriage. Other forms of union realise it only in a partial and analogous way so they cannot be strictly called marriage.

“For this reason, the Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction and suggest that something that is not marriage is recognised as marriage.

“However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes.

“The defence of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.

“Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage.

“For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better. Although there are situations that are not morally acceptable from an objective point of view, the same pastoral charity requires us not to simply treat as sinners other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors affecting subjective accountability.

“Decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm. Not everything that is part of practical discernment in particular circumstances can be elevated to the level of a rule.

“Canon law should not and cannot cover everything, as the life of the Church flows through many channels other than normative ones.”

Pope Francis’ reign has been marked by attempts to moderate the Church’s discourse on sexuality and other important problems. Even though this does not represent a theological shift.

This has consistently infuriated conservatives who seek to adhere more closely to the faith’s traditional doctrines.

Senior Church of England authorities supported plans in February that would have permitted prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.

With the change, a same-sex couple might now attend services at an Anglican church that include prayers of dedication, appreciation, and God’s blessing following a formal marriage ceremony.