Church on gay marriage

Pope Francis allows blessings for homosexual couples under certain conditions

The Vatican has approved a landmark judgment to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to gay couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.

A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by Pope Francis on Monday said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.

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The document backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex” but “this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not ev

Same-Sex Marriage

Legal proceedings and legislative action in a number of countries have given civil recognition to same-sex marriage relationships, and the ask of same-sex marriage continues to be widely debated. As we confront this and other issues, we encourage all to bear in mind our Angelic Father’s purposes in creating the soil and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children. “God created gentleman in his possess image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” “Therefore shall a human leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”Marriage between a dude and a gal was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well-being of society. Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and beliefs that are essential to

Why This Issue Matters

I’m a pastor. My concern is with the church—what she believes, what she celebrates, and what she proclaims. Achieving some legal and political end is not my primary calling and yet, I’m concerned that many younger Christians—ironically, often those most attuned to societal transformation and social justice—do not see the connection between a traditional view of marriage and human flourishing. Many Christians are keen to resurrect the old pro-choice mantra touted by some Catholic politicians: personally opposed, but publicly none of my business. I want Christians to see why this issue matters and why—when same-sex marriage became the law of the land—the integrity of the family was weakened and the freedom of the church was threatened.

I know this is an increasingly unpopular line of reasoning, even for those who are inclined to accept the Bible’s teaching about marriage. Perhaps you believe that homosexual behavior is biblically unacceptable. And yet, you wonder what’s wrong with supporting same-sex marriage as a legal and political right. After all, we don

Vatican approves blessings for gay couples in landmark judgment for LGBTQ Catholics

Roman Catholic priests will be qualified to bless same-sex couples, as long as the blessings are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, under a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis.

Key points:

The Catholic Church teaches that gay attraction is not sinful but homosexual acts are
The church previously barred homosexual couples from receiving blessings in a ruling, saying God 'cannot bless sin'
The Vatican now says priests should decide whether to thank same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis

A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in , said such blessings would not legitimise "irregular situations" but be a indicate that God welcomes all.

Blessings should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage, the document said.

It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and "should not prevent or prohibit the church's closeness to people in every