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Pope Opens Door To “Blessing” Same-Sex Marriages

The National Catholic Reporter reports: Pope Francis has expressed openness to Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, under the condition they are not confused with marriage ceremonies for men and women, in what could be a watershed moment for the global Catholic Church. “Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by … The post Pope Opens Door To “Blessing” Same-Sex Marriages appeared first on Joe.My.God..

Mark

Oct 6, 2023 - 20:00

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Pope Opens Door To “Blessing” Same-Sex Marriages

The National Catholic Reporter reports:

Pope Francis has expressed openness to Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, under the condition they are not confused with marriage ceremonies for men and women, in what could be a watershed moment for the global Catholic Church.
“Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or several people, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage,” Francis wrote in a letter dated Sept. 25 and released by the Vatican on Oct. 2.
The pope’s words come in response to five conservative Catholic cardinals who had written to the pontiff, expressing concerns about a number of hot-button issues that are expected to be discussed at a major Vatican meeting this month, known as the Synod of Bishops.

Read the full article.

Via press release from GLAAD:

Pope Francis’ response is both unprecedented and compassionate and continues to urge every Catholic and leader toward acceptance and recognition of LGBTQ people. The Pope has consistently elevated the dignity of LGBTQ people.
He has now extended his call for affirmation to our relationships by noting they, too, are sacred and deserving of respect. The Holy Father repeatedly reminds Catholics and Church leadership to accept rather than exclude and condemn.
Pope Francis’ leadership recognizes the lived reality that LGBTQ people exist, that we form partnerships and families, and that we need the support of our communities, including our churches.
This is not full marriage recognition, but it will make a significant difference in the lives of LGBTQ families and create a Catholic Church open to all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

BREAKING: Pope Francis has expressed openness to Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, under the condition they are not confused with marriage ceremonies for men and women, in what could be a watershed moment for the global Catholic Church. https://t.co/L3x1TMNnVT
— NCR (@NCRonline) October 2, 2023

Pope Francis softened the Vatican’s ban on blessing same-sex couples, saying that priests may use their discretion in giving such blessings, so long as they don’t imply a same-sex union is equivalent to a heterosexual marriage https://t.co/7p1zjWrMWX
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 2, 2023