Pope Francis has bowed to pressure and is currently considering Catholic Church might bless same-sex marriage henceforth. Recall in 2021, the Vatican decreed that Catholic Church would not bless gar-marriage as God cannot be mocked into blessing a sinful act. However yesterday, the Pope made a u-turn where a letter was published by the Pope addressed to Cardinals who have been left in dilemma of asking what the letter could mean.
The religious leader reiterated his stance that the church only recognises marriage as a union between a man and a woman, however, it could open the door for blessings of individuals in same-sex unions.
Pope’s letter partly said, “pastoral charity” requires patience and understanding, adding that priests should not become judges “who only deny, reject and exclude”.
He is of the opinion that a blessing requested is a plea for God’s help to live a better life even in situations that are “not morally acceptable”.
Pope called on priests to stop judging people as sinners because they may not fully be at fault for their situation.
He suggested that blessing gay unions should not become an official rule but should be decided case by case “because the life of the church runs on channels beyond norms”.
Pope explained that “The Church has a very clear understanding of marriage: an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman naturally open to procreation,” he wrote.
“Only this union can be called marriage. Other forms of union realise it only in a partial and analogous way so they cannot be strictly called marriage.
“For this reason, the Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction and suggest that something that is not marriage is recognised as marriage.
Pope letter continued, “However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes.
“The defence of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.
“Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage.
“For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better. Although there are situations that are not morally acceptable from an objective point of view, the same pastoral charity requires us not to simply treat as sinners other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors affecting subjective accountability.
“Decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm. Not everything that is part of a practical discernment in particular circumstances can be elevated to the level of a rule.
“Canon law should not and cannot cover everything, as the life of the Church flows through many channels other than normative ones,” pope Francis added.
Recall in 2020, Pope Francis called gay Catholics “children of God” and gave his endorsement to same-sex civil unions.
