Pope Approves Blessings for , Same-Sex Couples.
NBC reports that Pope Francis has formally allowed
priests to bless same-sex couples, insisting that
those who seek God should not be subject to , "an exhaustive moral analysis.'.
The pontiff released a new document
explaining the radical shift in Vatican policy. .
In October, Francis wrote to two conservative cardinals
suggesting that blessings for same-sex couples should
not be confused with the sacrament of marriage.
In October, Francis wrote to two conservative cardinals
suggesting that blessings for same-sex couples should
not be confused with the sacrament of marriage.
The new document reportedly elaborates on that
rationale, reaffirming that marriage remains
exclusively reserved for a man and a woman. .
The new document reportedly elaborates on that
rationale, reaffirming that marriage remains
exclusively reserved for a man and a woman. .
The pope stressed that blessings for same-sex couples should
not be given at the same time as a civil union, or use similar
rituals, like clothing or gestures, associated with weddings.
The pope stressed that blessings for same-sex couples should
not be given at the same time as a civil union, or use similar
rituals, like clothing or gestures, associated with weddings.
Ultimately, a blessing offers
people a means to increase
their trust in God, Pope Francis, Vatican document, via NBC.
The request for a blessing, thus,
expresses and nurtures openness
to the transcendence, mercy,
and closeness to God in a thousand
concrete circumstances of life,
which is no small thing in
the world in which we live, Pope Francis, Vatican document, via NBC.
It is a seed of the Holy Spirit
that must be nurtured, not hindered, Pope Francis, Vatican document, via NBC.
The latest doctrine orders the church to avoid , “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they
lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby
instead of evangelizing, ...".
"... one analyzes and classifies others,
and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts
his or her energies in inspecting and verifying.”.
Thus, when people ask for
a blessing, an exhaustive moral
analysis should not be placed as
a precondition for conferring it, Pope Francis, Vatican document, via NBC