Pope Francis has suggested that there could be ways to bless same-sex unions in the Catholic Church. The pope made this suggestion for the first time.
Moreover, he hinted that people in same-sex unions could be blessed by Catholic priests on a “case-by-case” basis, a seeming reversal of previous statements.
The Pontiff responded to five conservative cardinals from Asia, Europe, Africa, the United States and Latin America who challenged him to affirm church’s teaching on homosexuality.
Likewise, Pope Francis insinuated that such blessings could be studied with his statement coming ahead of a major meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda.
The cardinals had sent the pope a set of formal questions, known as “dubia”a Latin word translating to doubt in English, about issues relating to a global gathering that starts at the Vatican on Wednesday 4th October 2023.
Consequently, the Vatican on Monday published a letter Francis wrote to the cardinals on 11 July after receiving a list of five questions, from them a day earlier on.
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In it, Francis suggests that such blessings could be studied if they did not confuse the blessing with sacramental marriage.
LGBTQ+ Activists Respond to Pope Francis
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, which promotes Church outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, said that while the response was not completely developed, endorsement of such blessings, was very welcomed.
In a statement DeBernardo said that the pope’s words implied that the church does indeed recognize that holy love can exist between same-gender couples, and the love of these couples mirrors the love of God.
New Ways Ministry Director however said the letter “significantly advances” efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics welcomed in the church and feel represented.
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In addition, the ministry highlighted a step made towards marginalization, “one big straw towards breaking the camel’s back,” read part of the statement by New Ways Ministry.
LQBTQ Ruling in Vatican 2021
The pope’s response is however differing from an explicit ruling against LGBTQ+ blessings by the Vatican’s doctrinal office in 2021 upon Francis’s assumption in office.
In his seven-point response to the ruling in 2021, Pope Francis noted that the church was clear on the sacrament of matrimony between a man and woman.
“Church is clear that the sacrament of matrimony could only be between a man and woman is open to procreation, the Church should avoid any other ritual or sacramental rite that contradict this teaching,” said Francis
Still, he said “pastoral charity should pass through all our decisions and attitudes” adding that “we cannot be judges who only deny, reject and exclude”.
Adding the church should be open to procreation and that the Church should avoid any other ritual or sacramental rite that contradicted this teaching.
