Current:Home > InvestPope Francis opens possibility for blessing same-sex unions-LoTradeCoin
Pope Francis opens possibility for blessing same-sex unions
View Date:2024-12-23 23:33:26
Pope Francis suggested it may be possible to bless same-sex unions in a newly public response to cardinals who questioned the pope's affirmation of the LGBTQ community in the Catholic Church.
In the July letter, which is written in Spanish, he reaffirmed 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," according to the Vatican News.
However, he advocated for "pastoral charity."
"The defense 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," he said, according to Vatican News. He added that "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."
MORE: California passes slate of LGBTQ protections
New Ways Ministry, an LGBTQ Catholic outreach group, said in a statement that though his statement are not "a full-fledged, ringing endorsement of blessing their unions," it is a significant advancement in the inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics in the Church.
In August, Pope Francis called on the hundreds of thousands gathered before him to yell that the Catholic Church is for "todos, todos, todos" -- everyone, everyone, everyone.
When asked if "todos" included the LGBTQ community, he said that though the Church has its laws, it is still a place for everyone, including the LGBTQ community.
Pope Francis has also criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality.
News of the Pope’s comments come two days before the start of a major three-week meeting at the Vatican to discuss the state of the Catholic Church and its future. The three-week synod, or meeting, starts at the Vatican on Wednesday, Oct. 4 and will run until Oct. 29.
During this period, more than 450 people from around the world -- cardinals, bishops, clergy, religious and laypeople -- will take part in the worldwide gathering.
The meeting will address some hot-button issues like the role of women in the church and the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. A number of advocacy groups are expected to come to Rome and the Vatican to gain attention for their cause throughout the synod. These groups represent issues such as ending clergy abuse, the women's ordination conference and more.
Some Church watchers are calling this Synod on Synodality a historical event, while some conservative church leaders and commentators have speculated that the gathering could cause harm to the Church and undermine Catholic teaching.
The synod will begin with a mass with new cardinals in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday.
LGBTQ advocates applauded the decision.
“Pope Francis' response is both unprecedented and compassionate and continues to urge every Catholic and leader toward acceptance and recognition of LGBTQ people," said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO.
New Ways Ministry, an LGBTQ Catholic outreach group, said in a statement that though his statement are not "a full-fledged, ringing endorsement of blessing their unions," it is a significant advancement in the inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics in the Church.
In August, Pope Francis called on the hundreds of thousands gathered before him to yell that the Catholic Church is for "todos, todos, todos" -- everyone, everyone, everyone.
When asked if "todos" included the LGBTQ community, he said that though the Church has its laws, it is still a place for everyone, including the LGBTQ community.
Pope Francis has also criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality.
71% of all Americans support marriage equality for LGBTQ people, which is at an all-time high, according to a Gallup poll -- this includes 41% of weekly churchgoers.
veryGood! (661)
Related
- Larry Hobbs, who guided AP’s coverage of Florida news for decades, has died at 83
- Nicki Minaj Returning to Host and Perform at 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
- Stephen Strasburg's planned retirement hits a snag as Nationals back out of deal
- 'One Piece' on Netflix: What's next for popular pirate show? What we know about Season 2.
- Amazon Black Friday 2024 sales event will start Nov. 21: See some of the deals
- Bodycam footage shows federal drug prosecutor offering cops business card in DUI hit-and-run arrest
- How to Watch the 2023 MTV VMAs on TV and Online
- Time off 'fueled a fire' as Naomi Osaka confirms 2024 return months after giving birth
- Why Kathy Bates Decided Against Reconstruction Surgery After Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer
- Cash App, Square users report payment issues amid service outage
Ranking
- Deion Sanders doubles down on vow to 99-year-old Colorado superfan
- Inside the renovated White House Situation Room: Cutting-edge tech, mahogany and that new car smell
- What to know about the link between air pollution and superbugs
- How to Watch the 2023 MTV VMAs on TV and Online
- 'Treacherous conditions' in NYC: Firefighters battling record number of brush fires
- Latin America women’s rights groups say their abortion win in Mexico may hold the key to US struggle
- Wisconsin sawmill agrees to pay $191K to federal regulators after 16-year-old boy killed on the job
- Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out a significant security update
Recommendation
-
Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
-
King Charles honors mother Queen Elizabeth II's legacy on 1st anniversary of her death
-
25 years ago CBS News' David Begnaud met a teacher who believed in him — and changed his life. Here's their story.
-
Man pleads guilty to charges stemming from human remains trade tied to Harvard Medical School
-
Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
-
Rail infrastructure in Hamburg is damaged by fires. Police suspect a political motive
-
Woman charged after abandoning old, visually impaired dog on Arizona roadside
-
Eagles pay tribute to Jimmy Buffett at final tour kickoff: 'Sailing on that cosmic ocean'