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Pope Francis to allow priests to bless gay couples but not perform marriages or civil unions
Christian Post ^ | 12/18/23 | Michael Gryboski

Posted on 12/18/2023 3:20:40 PM PST by SeekAndFind

Pope Francis has approved a measure that will allow Roman Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, under the condition that the blessing is not considered akin to marriage and while still labeling such relationships sinful.

In a Declaration titled “Fiducia Supplicans” that was issued Monday, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith provided “a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding of blessings, which is closely linked to a liturgical perspective.”

“It is precisely in this context that one can understand the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage,” stated the Catholic Church leadership.

“This Declaration is also intended as a tribute to the faithful People of God, who worship the Lord with so many gestures of deep trust in his mercy and who, with this confidence, constantly come to seek a blessing from Mother Church.”

The Vatican document goes on to state that “when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it” and that “those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection.”

For same-sex couples, “a blessing may be imparted that not only has an ascending value but also involves the invocation of a blessing that descends from God upon those who—recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help — do not claim a legitimation of their own status, but who beg that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit.”

The declaration warned that “one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation.”

“At the same time, one should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing,” the Vatican document continued.

“In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue, and mutual assistance — but also God’s light and strength to be able to fulfill his will completely.”

The declaration was part of a series of guidance given by the dicastery regarding Catholic doctrine in response to “dubia“ or questions issued by bishops from across the world.

Last week, the dicastery released guidance clarifying that single mothers who have confessed their sins can receive the Eucharist even if they “lead a very complex existence.”

In October 2020, Pope Francis garnered controversy when he appeared to endorse civil unions for same-sex couples, being quoted in an Italian documentary.

“Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it,” said Francis in the film, adding, “what we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.”

In response, the Vatican Secretariat of State sent out a statement to Catholic Church officials around the world explaining that the comments did not change church teaching on the issue.

The statement explained that the comments made by Francis in the recorded interview were “edited and published as a single answer without the necessary contextualization.”

“It is clear that Pope Francis was referring to particular state regulations, certainly not the doctrine of the church, which he has reaffirmed numerous times over the years,” stated the Secretariat at the time, as reported by the National Catholic Reporter.


TOPICS: Catholic; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: blessing; donate; excathedra; gaycouples; homosexuality; jimknows; popefrancis; protestant; weallknow
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1 posted on 12/18/2023 3:20:40 PM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

False prophet. NOT the Pope. Absolute evil. No one should humor this pos by calling him Pope.


2 posted on 12/18/2023 3:22:35 PM PST by GrumpyOldGuy
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To: SeekAndFind

What the hell do they need to be “blessed” for? They’re the azhos that hate religious people.


3 posted on 12/18/2023 3:25:54 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Get the illegal alien refugees out of our government.)
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To: SeekAndFind

We’re creating God in our image now. But it’s not God.


4 posted on 12/18/2023 3:29:46 PM PST by Telepathic Intruder
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To: SeekAndFind

For now.

How long before the Roman church is hosting drag events?


5 posted on 12/18/2023 3:30:53 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Blessed perversion


6 posted on 12/18/2023 3:34:12 PM PST by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: SeekAndFind
It's the Communist method...do it step by step.

In The Deliverance of Sister Cecilia, an "as told to" autobiography of a Slovak nun who escaped from Communist Czechoslovakia, she describes how the Communists would implement the changes gradually instead of all at once.

7 posted on 12/18/2023 3:36:44 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: SeekAndFind

Here we go. Can’t put the genie back in the bottle, especially in our current society. They’ll be pushing for Nuptial Masses by 2030. I’ve never supported this Marxist pope and never will. I just can’t understand why God allows him to walk the earth as he continues to try to destabilize the Catholic Church.


8 posted on 12/18/2023 3:39:22 PM PST by Prince of Space (Trump 2024!)
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To: SeekAndFind

9 posted on 12/18/2023 3:45:16 PM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: Verginius Rufus

Long march through the institutions.

Progressivism.


10 posted on 12/18/2023 3:47:20 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear ("Equity" = "All animals are equal. Some animals are more equal than others.")
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To: SeekAndFind

Camels nose under the tent.

Why… were blessing gay couples and that didn’t kill anyone so we should be allowed to perform sodomite marriages!


11 posted on 12/18/2023 3:50:54 PM PST by Skywise
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To: SeekAndFind
Approaching gradually.

This is also how it started on the secular side, you may recall.

12 posted on 12/18/2023 3:51:09 PM PST by Salman (It's not a slippery slope if it was part of the program all along. )
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To: SeekAndFind

will no one rid us of this meddlesome priest...


13 posted on 12/18/2023 3:55:45 PM PST by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: SeekAndFind
I am Catholic.

I am Roman.

This is heresy.

Pray for The Steward and Rome.

14 posted on 12/18/2023 3:56:55 PM PST by Rocky Mountain Wild Turkey ("I have an open mind ... just not so open that my brain falls out onto the floor!!")
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To: GrumpyOldGuy
Nope....he was duly elected by the College of Cardinals.

Roman Catholics really have no choice but to follow him per Unam Sanctam.

15 posted on 12/18/2023 3:58:39 PM PST by ealgeone
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

To: SeekAndFind

Well if you do not know the False Prophet is them coming next Pope, this current Pope is paving the way..


18 posted on 12/18/2023 4:22:43 PM PST by dpetty121263
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To: SeekAndFind

Since when does the Church bless sin?


19 posted on 12/18/2023 4:29:50 PM PST by Not A Snowbird (I do not recognize Biden’s authority. (@FeistyFed on TS) 🐝)
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To: SeekAndFind

“irregular situations”
In other words, two men or two women on the fast road to Hell. But we bless you! No problem!

I’ve long ago ceased being shocked by this pope. He needs to seriously think about the judgment that’s coming for him in the near future.


20 posted on 12/18/2023 4:30:13 PM PST by Deo volente ("When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God's creation." Pres. Trump)
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