- ”The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this,’ Pope says
Pope Francis corrected his questioner about the Catholic Church’s stance toward same-sex couples in a rare interview, explaining he allowed the blessings of individual people but not a same-sex union.
In a conversation with “60 Minutes,” the Pope was asked about a seeming change to Vatican policy when he approved the blessings of Catholics in same-sex unions, as the Church recognizes the sacrament of marriage as an indissoluble union between a man and a woman.
“Last year you decided to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples,” CBS “60 Minutes” anchor Norah O’Donnell said. “That’s a big change. Why?”
“No, what I allowed was not to bless the union. That cannot be done because that is not the sacrament. I cannot. The Lord made it that way,” the Pope said, in remarks translated into English. “But to bless each person, yes. The blessing is for everyone. For everyone. To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the given right, against the law of the Church. But to bless each person, why not? The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this. But why? Everyone! Everyone!”
Francis sent a letter to two conservative cardinals in October, suggesting that such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if those receiving the blessing did not confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage. Initial media reports at the time appeared to conflate the news with a change that meant the Church now endorsed same-sex marriage, but the Pope simply meant all people were worthy of such blessings.
A blessing is “a prayer invoking God’s power and care upon some person, place, thing or undertaking,” according to the Church Catechism.
The news still made waves around the world, as some gay Catholics viewed it as a welcome alteration after previously feeling alienated by Church teachings. Some Catholic bishops around the world pushed back on the notion, however, and traditional Catholics in the U.S. have also criticized the Pope for his remarks.
Catholic Bishops Rejects Allege Same-Union by Pope Francis
Catholic Bishops in Nigeria rejected the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex marriages which, according to many, is an indirect endorsement of gay unions by the church.
This was contained in a speech delivered by President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, on Sunday, February 18.
“We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains,” Ugorji said.
“While the document prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it recommends at the same time spontaneous pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations including the blessing of same-sex couples.
“It further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.
“Given the ambiguities in the declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world,” he added.
He further stressed that: “In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as Pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the Church based on Holy Scripture and Tradition.
“We shouldn’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing your minds, so we may discern what the Will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the Church in Africa.”
