OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
The Vatican’s recent allowance of blessings for gay couples has been praised by pro-LGBT Catholics, including Jesuit Father James Martin and Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry.
They see this as a significant shift, while Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández views it as a real development.
The Vatican declaration “will long be remembered by LGBTQ people,” Jesuit Father James Martin wrote, because it “opens the door, for the first time, for the official blessings of same-sex couples by ministers of the church.” (Trending: Devastating News For Hunter Biden After Defying Subpoena)
“But a great deal has in fact changed,” the priest added.
“Before this document was issued, there was no permission for bishops, priests and deacons to bless couples in same-sex unions in any setting. This document establishes, with some limitations, that they can.”
“Today, with some limitations, I can perform a public blessing of a same-sex couple. Yesterday, I could not,” he said.
Father James Martin
Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of America Magazine, has lauded the Vatican’s allowance of blessings for gay couples as “a huge step forward.” (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
“Pope Francis gave LGBTQ+ Catholics an early Christmas gift this year by approving blessings for same-gender couples,” Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry said.
“The Vatican doctrinal office’s previous claim that ‘God does not bless sin’ has been uprooted by the new exhortation, ‘God never turns away anyone who approaches him!’” he added.
However, there are differing opinions, with some, like Father Thomas Weinandy, expressing concerns about the implications of blessing same-sex couples, given the Church’s previous stance on the matter.
The Vatican’s declaration emphasizes that these blessings should not be conducted in liturgical settings and should not be equated with sacramental marriage, but it does acknowledge the idea that homosexual couples are now “blessable.”
The blessing of same-sex couples without giving the idea that the Catholics are affirming their activity is “a charade,” Weinandy wrote.
“All those present at such blessings know, without a doubt, that such relationships are sexual in nature. No one is fooled.”
“Actually, they are rejoicing that such sexual relations are being blessed. That’s the point of these blessings,” he added.
“It is not their sexual abstinence being blessed, but their sexual indulgence.”
Father Weinandy noted that although “On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings” is well intended, “it wreaks havoc on the very nature of blessings.”
“Attempting immorally to exploit God’s blessings makes a mockery of his divine goodness and love,” he said.
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