[RaceBannon]

OME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.

[Mercat]

Back in 2017 our daughter got married. Two of her friends identified as lesbians and were living together. I think this was after one of them got pregnant with a turkey baster and the other one adopted the little girl. So as we were leaving the reception I stopped by their table and talked with them about banal things but then said “God bless you.” They burst into laughter. Oh well.

[redgolum]

Back in the “good old days”of the religion forum here, many Catholics told me that the Pope would never be able to do what he has been doing.

I pray for them on occasion, those old posters who have mostly dropped off one by one.

Choose who you will serve.

[Republican Wildcat]

insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

Affirmation of sin rather than calling for repentance?

[unlearner]

“same-sex couples if they don’t resemble marriage”

Like two men or two women become business partners?

Sure. But everyone knows what this is about: Sex. Should a homosexual couple get a Christian blessing because they don’t go so far as to call their relationship a marriage? Maybe it is better that they aren’t fighting to be recognized by society as a married couple, but that does not make their relationship Christian or sanctioned by God.

Adds a new meaning to the question of whether the Pope is Catholic.

[JohnBovenmyer]

Well this provides a definitive answer to the iconic question, “Is the Pope Catholic!” There have been competing Popes and what history refers to as “anti-Popes” in the past and The Church had managed to get beyond those times somehow. I don’t know the details, but suspect the process seemed messy at the time. Oddly enough when Benedict resigned to become Pope Emeritus it was noted that the last time THAT had happened competing or anti-Popes resulted. Since Francis is so fond of non-Christian religious practices someone should enlighten him about the Shinto tradition of Seppuku as an efficient path to Dante’s lower circles. Which if he, and his fellow travelers in the College of Cardinals, would follow could be the least messy solution.

[WKTimpco]

If the pope values consistency, he should allow the blessing of couples who engage in same-sex fornication, as long as the blessings are not made to look like wedding ceremonies. After that, there are the blessings of threesomes, minor-attracted persons (MAPs) with children, and so on. Who knows? Someday soon, maybe in our lifetimes, we may see a new sacrament: abortion.

[wgmalabama]

I refuse to participate in a religious group that isn’t or will not follow biblical theology.