Table of Contents 64q43
In an unprecedented decision, the Pope Francisco authorized the blessing of same-sex couples, according to a document published by the Vatican today, the 18th. In the letter, the pontiff of Catholic Church allowed priests to perform blessings for same-sex couples, however, there was no change regarding the rules for recognizing marriage within the LGBTQIAPN+ community. 14473q
How the blessing will work 6h5n23
The blessing, authorized by Francis, has significant limitations. The act cannot resemble a wedding ceremony and can be performed during the Church's day-to-day liturgies.
The act is not an obligation on of the religion, and priests who do not agree with the union of these couples are free to refuse to give the blessing without any repercussions from the Catholic Church. On the other hand, any acts of discrimination within churches that result in homosexual believers being prevented from “seeking God’s help through a simple blessing”.
Blessing for same-sex couples vs. marriage 373w1p
This is a step forward for the minority that has long been sidelined by the Catholic Church, however the Pope's decision does not necessarily authorize marriage between same-sex couples and should not be confused as such.
If on the one hand today's decision can be considered historic, as to date there has been very little progress on the causes of the LGBTQIAPN+ community within the Catholic religion, the however regarding the de facto recognition of the stable union of same-sex couples by the Church is still many. The long-awaited same-sex marriage, one of the main issues long fought by the LGBT+ community, is still considered a sacrilege by Catholicism.
The Pope's position so far 5k6f2k
Since his consecration as pontiff of the Catholic Church ten years ago, the Pope Francisco has shown a certain sympathy for LGBT+ causes. In January, through an interview given to the Associated Press, he criticized countries like the United States, where some states criminalize sexual activity by people of the same sex, followed by another 67 countries in the world.
In August of this year, Francis was categorical, saying that trans women “are also daughters of God” and that they cannot be treated differently by the Church, while in October he expressed that “we cannot be judges who just deny”, in letter. Speeches like these became signs of the eventual acceptance of same-sex unions by the Catholic religion.
Francis' opinion became public after conservative speeches on the subject from five cardinals through a dubia, that is, a text written to the pontiff with the aim of clarifying doubts with the leader of the religion in the form of formal questions. In the document, Francis stated that “pastoral charity must permeate all our decisions and attitudes” and that “we cannot be judges who only deny, reject and exclude”.
However, this opinion is tempered with ambiguities, as in another speech by the Pope in 2021, in response to the ban on marriage for same-sex couples, he said that “the Church is very clear regarding the sacrament of marriage, which should only occur between one woman and a man, open to procreation.” He further stated that the Church “should avoid any other ritual that contradicts this teaching.”
This duality of the pontiff's speeches on that occasion was circumvented by him saying that “sometimes requests for blessings are a way for people to get closer to God and live better lives”, although, according to him, certain acts can be seen as “objectively and morally unacceptable by the Church.”
At the time, according to the pope, even if there was a possible authorization for this type of blessing, they would not become norms or be granted explicit approval by the jurisdictions of the Catholic Church. For Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of New Ways Ministry, in matter for G1, was positive regarding Francisco's speeches, although they are not “a full and resounding endorsement” for the LGBT+ cause by the leader of Catholicism in the world.
Since then, the pope's public opinion on the matter, even if not exactly what was desired by same-sex couples who seek to have their marriages recognized by the Catholic Church, has become softer, resulting in today's announcement by the Vatican.
Conclusion 60664y
Even though it still carries, in general , the same conservative tone so well known by the LGBTQIAPN+ community, Pope Francis' speeches speak loudly and clearly that the world is changing and that, at least from the point of view of the pontiff appointed in 2013, There is room for everyone within secular coexistence.
Such allegations are historic, as until very recently they were inconceivable within the scope of the Catholic Church, where this increasingly larger and more vocal portion of society has always been discriminated against and excluded. As simple as these public speeches by Francis may be, they are the beginning of a more comprehensive acceptance of believers who suffer for being homosexual but who still search for answers within this religion, which is still a tremendous historical milestone. It’s up to us to see what the future holds.
LEARN MORE
Sources: G1 [1], [2], [3] And [4]
reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 18 / 12 / 23.
