The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same sex unions; in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis; that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.
Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday; the Holy See referred to same-sex unions as a “choice,” described them as sinful and said they “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.
Francis DeBernardo
Executive director of New Ways Ministry; which advocates for greater acceptance of gays in the church; predicted the Vatican position would be ignored, including by some Catholic clergy. Catholic people recognize the holiness of the love between committed same-sex couples and recognize this love as divinely inspired and divinely supported and meets the standard to be blessed;” he said in a statement.
The Vatican holds that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect; but that gay sex is “intrinsically disordered.” Catholic teaching says that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and woman; is part of God’s plan and is intended for the sake of creating new life.
Sister Simone Campbell
Executive director of the U.S.-based NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and an advocate for greater LGBTQ inclusion in the church, said she was relieved the Vatican statement wasn’t worse.
She said she interpreted the statement as saying; “You can bless the individuals (in a same-sex union), you just can’t bless the contract.” So it’s possible you could have a ritual where the individuals get blessed to be their committed selves.
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