CBC News published an anonymous article after Pope Francis said priests can bless same-sex couples, under certain conditions, on Monday December 18th, 2023.
Pope Francis documents "radical change" within the Vatican policy, as he "formally [approves] allowing priests to bless same sex couples." The document, released on Monday December 18th, reflects a letter that Pope Francis wrote to conservative cardinals in October of this year. It was there that he suggested that "such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn't confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage." The latest document reiterates, and elaborates on those principals, restating "that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman," stressing that anybody seeking a relationship with God, one as intimate as a vow of marriage, "shouldn't be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it." After confirming in a statement that "homosexuality is not a crime," Pope Francis justifies that "a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God," adding that "it is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered." Though the Vatican has held a clear and long opposition t same sex marriage, in regard to the belief that "marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman," even stating bluntly in 2021 that "God cannot bless sin" in regard to the matter. That statement form 2021 caused a lot of backlashes, even catching the Pope by surprise, and the official who was responsible was aptly removed. Monday, Pope Francis stated that the church would diminish "doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism." The new document states that even those in a state of sin and crisis, should not be deprived of "God's love and mercy." Though this document was met with much appraisal, Francis is also met with continuous recoil from conservative parties. International conservative prelates, including Raymond Burke, critique the Pope's outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, stating that "It's unfortunately very clear that the invocation of the Holy Spirit by some has the aim of bringing forward an agenda that is more political and human than ecclesial and divine." Pope Francis reports to the Vatican offices that, he was moving against Burke because he was a source of "disunity" in the church." I am an atheist myself, so I do not have much prerequisite knowledge on the Pope or his socio-political status and history, but I know that the church and the LGBTQ+ community have a long-standing relationship of conflict. Knowing that it has taken so long for the church to accept the LGBTQ+ community, I am glad that the Pope is making necessary statements, and adjustments to their opinion and acceptance. Actively, and directly stating that gay marriage is not a crime, is a huge step towards unity among the church and the LGBTQ+ community. I approve of the decision to clarify his stance on gay marriage, as the Pope has a major influence on the Catholic community, and diminishing the negative stance that his followers have on the LGBTQ+ community, and gay marriage.
While there is still work to be done, this signals a positive shift toward the embracement of inclusivity within the church. While the Pope has given the go-ahead on priests to bless same sex marriage, and equal opportunities, he still enforces his stance on the association of homosexuality with sinning. Though the Pope's actions and statements are a directly positive change between the catholic-LGBTQ+ relationship, it is clear that he still believes that homosexuality is a sin, and the statements he made were a mercenary act to expand followers of the church. Overall, I am happy that the Pope finally gave explicit permission and confirmation to priests, that same sex marriage is legal and accepted by the Vatican.
Comments
Post a Comment