Pope Francis allows priests to bless same-sex couples (not marriage)

[Evangelicalhumanist]

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.

But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships.

The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if the blessings weren’t confused with the ritual of marriage.

My comment: Baby steps, but they're still steps. Your comments?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I wonder if celibacy is one of the conditions.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Nice to see the Vatican is moving in the right direction.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

My comment: Baby steps, but they're still steps. Your comments?

I'll see how things play out.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Love this pope. Priests should be able to marry, like they used to be able to do.

 

[Rival]

I wonder if celibacy is one of the conditions.

The Anglican Church requires gay priests in civil unions to be celibate. It hasn't legalised same-sex marriages but would bless same-sex unions. There is a lot of nuance involved though and a lot of folks have misunderstood it.

This resource will offer clergy a variety of flexible ways to affirm and celebrate same-sex couples in church, and will include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and for God’s blessing. It could be used for a couple who have marked a significant stage in the development of their relationship, sealed a covenanted friendship, registered a civil partnership, or entered a civil marriage. [...] The use of these prayers will be entirely discretionary: clergy may choose to use some combination of these prayers or not to use them at all. These Prayers of Love and Faith will not be the same as conducting a marriage in church. They will not alter the Church of England's celebration of Holy Matrimony, which remains the lifelong union of one man and one woman, as set forth in its canons and authorised liturgies. [Wiki]

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I wonder if celibacy is one of the conditions.

Didn't sound like it -- just not to be confused with marriage. He said, "God loves all His children just as they are."

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I'll see how things play out.

Of course. We can't expect this Pope to live a very great deal longer, and I rather suspect that this has caused something of a snit among more conservative members of the Curia and College of Cardinals. The backlash might very well be a retrenchment to more conservative positions following the next conclave. This was not, after all, a preaching ex cathedra.

 

[sun rise]

Priests should be able to marry, like they used to be able to do.

Eastern rite priests can marry. Former Anglican priests who become Catholic priests can stay married.

 

[Glaurung]

I am convinced that neither this pope nor his cronies actually believe the religion they claim to profess.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I am convinced that neither this pope nor his cronies actually believe the religion they claim to profess.

At least he's Christ-like.

 

[Glaurung]

At least he's Christ-like.

Would that be the same Christ who told sinners that it is better to lose a limb than to risk one's soul by sin? The same Christ who said that he will cast his enemies into the outer darkness? It is interesting how people tend to omit that aspect of Christ when they talk about what being "Christlike" means.

 

[Subduction Zone]

What??? Well that's it. I am definitely not joining the Catholic Church. Hmm I wonder how Westboro Baptists feel about the fact of evolution?

 

[Left Coast]

I am convinced that neither this pope nor his cronies actually believe the religion they claim to profess.

I disagree. He seems to believe very strongly in God's unconditional love and the power of grace.

 

[ppp]

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.

But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships.

The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if the blessings weren’t confused with the ritual of marriage.

My comment: Baby steps, but they're still steps. Your comments?

I think that it is steps in few directions. I certainly think that there are factions interested in moving towards different types of equality. On one hand some are trying for equality with in the religion. Others, equality within subordinate cultures to reduce the violence and oppression. I think that the primary motive is to maintain. Others still are "magnanimously" trying to secure a second-class place that the queer Catholic community can live with. And then there is the faction that is trying to retain members, temporal influence and income. Based upon the past behaviors of the RCC in specific, and humanity in general, I suspect the last is the biggest impetus.

 

[Glaurung]

I disagree. He seems to believe very strongly in God's unconditional love and the power of grace.

Grace is the divine help that empowers a person to perform salvific acts. That divine help is not unconditional. It is predicated on the cooperation of the person. To ask God to aid you in the perpetuation of a sinful state is a mockery of Christian teaching.

The deeper issue is that it is hard not to get the impression that Catholic Church has become a practical joke. This is an institution that claims to be the custodian of divine revelation. The unchangeable doctrine of the logos incarnate. The one doctrine necessary for salvation. If the regime in Rome really believed in its claims it would not continually attempt to push the line on its own orthodoxy. Claiming to believe what the Church has always believed while attempting to enshrine an ever-leftward drift in moral theology is fooling no one.

 

[Estro Felino]

I disagree. He seems to believe very strongly in God's unconditional love and the power of grace.

After all that happened in the Senate hearing room..
this is the cherry on the top of the cake.

Btw...I respect the Vatican's stance.

 

[Left Coast]

Grace is the divine help that empowers a person to perform salvific acts. That divine help is not unconditional. It is predicated on the cooperation of the person. To ask God to aid you in the perpetuation of a sinful state is a mockery of Christian teaching.

Francis isn't endorsing that, though, of course.

The deeper issue is that it is hard not to get the impression that Catholic Church has become a practical joke. This is an institution that claims to be the custodian of divine revelation. The unchangeable doctrine of the logos incarnate. The one doctrine necessary for salvation. If the regime in Rome really believed in its claims it would not continually attempt to push the line on its own orthodoxy. Claiming to believe what the Church has always believed while attempting to enshrine an ever-leftward drift in moral theology is fooling no one. This is not a development of doctrine. It an attempt at change.

Francis' interpretation of what's happening is clearly different. But that doesn't mean he's any less a believing Catholic. What seems to be going on is that he's trying to find ways to make the Church a more welcoming place for sinners to receive love and grace instead of a place where people feel nothing but condemnation and shame (which is how many people perceive Catholicism). Which sounds suspiciously Jesusy to me.

 

[We Never Know]

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.

But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships.

The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if the blessings weren’t confused with the ritual of marriage.

My comment: Baby steps, but they're still steps. Your comments?

Technically if they don't bless them they are judging them. Doesn't the bible say...

Matthew 7

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you"

 

[Left Coast]

After all that happened in the Senate...
this is the cherry on the top of the cake.

That is not making love, by the way.

Your latest obsession is irrelevant to this thread. Run along.