‘A small step’: LGBTQ+ Angelenos, allies see progress in Vatican’s blessings for same-sex couples
1 year ago

‘A small step’: LGBTQ+ Angelenos, allies see progress in Vatican’s blessings for same-sex couples

LA Times  

Same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, on Sept. 20. Zaldivar — also a self-described proud, gay Catholic — said, “It’s about dignity and respect.” When he came out, Zaldivar said he stopped attending Mass regularly, unsure of where he fit in the church. “I applaud him; I know that change is very difficult and slow.” The new papal declaration is not a directive to Catholic leaders, but extends the opportunity for clergy to bless same-sex couples in certain circumstances “without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage,” the document says. “This message greets LGBTQ Catholics with an acknowledgment rather than a condemnation, and that is a change,” said Peggy Ehling, the co-chair of the L.A. Archdiocese’s Ministry With Lesbian and Gay Persons. “And to not feel like the door has been closed on them.” Ehling said the pope’s declaration gives a new type of affirmation to queer Catholics, one she hopes will expand.

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History of this topic

A look at Pope Francis’ comments about LGBTQ+ people
6 months, 3 weeks ago

A look at Pope Francis’ comments about LGBTQ+ people

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ apology Tuesday for using a vulgar term to refer to gay men was the latest comment to make headlines about the Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality. Francis has made a hallmark of reaching out to LGBTQ+ Catholics, but his 11-year pontificate has Officially, the Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people must be treated with dignity …

Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives

Associated Press  

Transgender Catholics — as well as a priest who welcomes them to his parish — expressed disappointment Monday with a new Vatican document rejecting the fundamental concept of changing one’s biological sex. The new document never uses the word “transgender,” which troubled Michael Sennett, a transgender man who is involved with an LGBTQ+ ministry at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church …

Vatican denounces gender-affirming surgery, gender theory and surrogacy
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Vatican denounces gender-affirming surgery, gender theory and surrogacy

Al Jazeera  

In a new document, the Vatican says these practices are ‘grave violations of human dignity’. “While it lays out a wonderful rationale for why each human being, regardless of condition in life, must be respected, honoured and loved, it does not apply this principle to gender-diverse people,” Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ Catholics, told The …

Vatican says no heresy in allowing blessings for same-sex couples after pushback by some bishops
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Vatican says no heresy in allowing blessings for same-sex couples after pushback by some bishops

Associated Press  

ROME — After pushback by some bishops in Africa, Poland and elsewhere, the Vatican on Thursday defended the recent move by Pope Francis to allow blessings for same-sex couples, insisting there is nothing “heretical” involved. In a five-page statement, the Holy See’s office to safeguard doctrinal orthodoxy expressed understanding that some bishops’ conferences need more time for “pastoral reflection” on …

Some Catholic bishops reject pope’s stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused
1 year ago

Some Catholic bishops reject pope’s stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused

LA Times  

A rosary is seen around the neck of a woman wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Pope Francis, as she awaits his arrival at the St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba, South Sudan, in February. The announcement Monday by the Vatican office reversed its 2021 statement that had ruled out blessings for same-sex couples because God “cannot bless sin.” The …

Some Catholic bishops reject Pope's stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused
1 year ago

Some Catholic bishops reject Pope's stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Zambia's bishops conference said same-sex …

Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings will ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
1 year ago

Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings will ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression

LA Times  

Wolfgang Rothe, left, blesses Christine Walter, center, and Almut Muenster during a service in St. Benedict’s Church in Munich in 2021. “Given the homophobic and transphobic climate created by many bishops in the United States, the average same-sex couple likely still won’t feel comfortable presenting themselves to their local bishop or priest to ask for a blessing,” said Jamie Manson, …

The Story Behind Pope Francis’ Shocking Reversal on Same-Sex Relationships
1 year ago

The Story Behind Pope Francis’ Shocking Reversal on Same-Sex Relationships

Slate  

The Catholic Church, a 2,000-year-old institution, generally moves at a glacial pace. At the start of Francis’ papacy, the DDF was led by a German ally of Pope Benedict XVI who would go on to accuse Francis of “material heresies.” Francis replaced him with a Spaniard with a similar theological background, signaling, as one Catholic publication put it at the …

Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
1 year ago

Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis’ green light for Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples is in many ways a recognition of what has been happening in some European parishes for years. Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document released Monday Dec. 18, 2023 explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by …

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling for LGBTQ Catholics
1 year ago

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling for LGBTQ Catholics

ABC  

Roman Catholic priests will be able 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 same-sex attraction is not sinful but homosexual acts are The church previously barred same-sex couples from receiving blessings in a 2021 …

Pope approves 'blessings' for same-sex couples but maintains strict ban on gay marriage
1 year ago

Pope approves 'blessings' for same-sex couples but maintains strict ban on gay marriage

India TV News  

Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced on Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected …

Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples in change in Vatican policy
1 year ago

Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples in change in Vatican policy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Vatican has long opposed …

How can Catholic priests bless same-sex unions?
1 year ago

How can Catholic priests bless same-sex unions?

Associated Press  

ROME — The Vatican document explicitly saying Catholic priests can bless same-sex unions lays out the conditions for what such blessings can, and cannot, involve. The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office explicitly says priests can offer blessings to same-sex couples provided the blessings themselves don’t in any way resemble a marriage. Nothing has changed about the Catholic Church’s firm …

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage
1 year ago

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be …

Pope Francis allows blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions
1 year ago

Pope Francis allows blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions

Al Jazeera  

A landmark ruling approved by the Vatican says priests can bless same-sex couples under some circumstances. 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. It said priests should decide on a case-by-case basis and “should not prevent or prohibit …

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage
1 year ago

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

LA Times  

Newlyweds meet with Pope Francis during the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican last month. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.” …

For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change
1 year, 1 month ago

For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change

LA Times  

Carla Segovia, a transgender woman from Argentina, walks out of her parish church in Torvaianica, Italy. Pope Francis’ gesture of welcome for transgender Catholics resonated in this working-class, seaside town, where a community of trans women has found help and hope. Pope Francis’ recent gesture of welcome for transgender Catholics has resonated strongly in this working-class seaside town south of …

For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change
1 year, 1 month ago

For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change

Associated Press  

TORVAIANICA, Italy — Pope Francis’ recent gesture of welcome for transgender Catholics has resonated strongly in this working class, seaside town south of Rome, where a community of trans women has found help and hope through a remarkable relationship with the pontiff forged during the darkest times of the pandemic. They didn’t see us as normal people, they saw us …

Vatican steps closer to allowing transgender people to be baptized as Catholics
1 year, 1 month ago

Vatican steps closer to allowing transgender people to be baptized as Catholics

Associated Press  

In the United States, the national conference of Catholic bishops rejects the concept of gender transition, leaving many transgender Catholics feeling excluded. On Wednesday, the Vatican made public a sharply contrasting statement, saying it’s permissible, under certain circumstances, for trans people to be baptized as Catholics and serve as godparents. “It is a major step for trans inclusion … it …

Pope Francis Suggests There Might Be Ways To Bless Same-Sex Unions
1 year, 2 months ago

Pope Francis Suggests There Might Be Ways To Bless Same-Sex Unions

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda. New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, said the letter “significantly advances” efforts to make …

Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals
1 year, 2 months ago

Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda. New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, said the letter “significantly advances” efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics welcomed …

Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions are possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals
1 year, 2 months ago

Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions are possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals

LA Times  

Joseph Zen, retired archbishop of Hong Kong, is among five conservative cardinals who are challenging Pope Francis to affirm Catholic teaching on homosexuality. Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the …

Catholic priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of a German archbishop
1 year, 3 months ago

Catholic priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of a German archbishop

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Several Catholic priests held a ceremony blessing same-sex couples outside Cologne Cathedral on Wednesday night in a protest against the city’s conservative archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. Their protest was triggered by Cologne church officials’ criticism of a priest from Mettmann, a town near Duesseldorf, who in March had held a “blessing ceremony for lovers” — including same-sex …

Pope says he knows what non-binary means, welcomes LGBT people to church: ‘All persons are children of God’
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope says he knows what non-binary means, welcomes LGBT people to church: ‘All persons are children of God’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He said that it is “one of the beautiful …

Pope Francis, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders denounce anti-LGBTQ laws
1 year, 10 months ago

Pope Francis, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders denounce anti-LGBTQ laws

Firstpost  

Pope Francis, the head of the Anglican Communion and top Presbyterian minister together denounced the criminalization of homosexuality and said gay people should be welcomed by their churches. They were asked about Francis’ recent comments to The Associated Press, in which he declared that laws that criminalize gay people were “unjust” and that “being homosexual is not a crime.” South …

Pope clarifies homosexuality and sin comments in note
1 year, 10 months ago

Pope clarifies homosexuality and sin comments in note

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis has clarified his recent comments about homosexuality and sin, saying he was merely referring to official Catholic moral teaching that teaches that any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin. Francis first made the comments in an interview Jan. 24 with The Associated Press, in which he declared that laws criminalizing homosexuality were “unjust” and …

The Pope said being gay isn't a crime. Why this should come as no surprise
1 year, 10 months ago

The Pope said being gay isn't a crime. Why this should come as no surprise

Firstpost  

Pope Francis’ long history of making similar comments in support of LGBTQ people’s dignity, despite the church’s rejection of homosexuality, has provoked plenty of criticism from some Catholics Once again, Pope Francis has called on Catholics to welcome and accept LGBTQ people. Francis’ long history of making similar comments in support of LGBTQ people’s dignity, despite the church’s rejection of …

Homosexuality not a crime, says Pope Francis
1 year, 10 months ago

Homosexuality not a crime, says Pope Francis

India Today  

Pope Francis criticised laws that criminalise homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. READ: Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God 'can't bless sin' “These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they …

The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime
1 year, 10 months ago

The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and …

Pope Francis: 'Homosexuality is not a crime'
1 year, 10 months ago

Pope Francis: 'Homosexuality is not a crime'

The Hindu  

Pope Francis criticised laws that criminalise homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQIA+ people into the Church. Pope Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalise homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community, and he …

Pope Francis says homosexuality is not a crime, but a sin
1 year, 10 months ago

Pope Francis says homosexuality is not a crime, but a sin

LA Times  

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Roman Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and he himself …

‘We are all children of God’: Pope says homosexuality not a crime
1 year, 10 months ago

‘We are all children of God’: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

Al Jazeera  

In an interview with the AP, Francis criticises laws criminalising homosexuality and calls on bishops to welcome LGBTQ people. Pope Francis has criticised laws that criminalise homosexuality as “unjust”, saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops …

Sandi Toksvig writes powerful letter to Archbishop Justin Welby after ‘gay sex is a sin’ comments
2 years, 4 months ago

Sandi Toksvig writes powerful letter to Archbishop Justin Welby after ‘gay sex is a sin’ comments

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sandi Toksvig has condemned Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after he …

Germany: 125 queer Catholic Church employees demand respect
2 years, 10 months ago

Germany: 125 queer Catholic Church employees demand respect

Associated Press  

BERLIN — More than 120 employees of the Catholic Church in Germany publicly outed themselves as queer on Monday, saying they want to “live openly without fear” in the church and pushing demands for it to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and change its labor rules. A group of 125 people — including priests, religion teachers and administrative employees …

German Catholics to bless gay unions despite Vatican ban
3 years, 7 months ago

German Catholics to bless gay unions despite Vatican ban

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s powerful Catholic progressives are openly defying a recent Holy See pronouncement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions by offering such blessings at services in about 100 different churches all over the country this week. The blessings at open worship services are the latest pushback from German Catholics against a document released in March by the Vatican’s orthodoxy …

Vatican refuses to bless same-sex unions under Pope Francis, saying God 'cannot bless sin'
3 years, 9 months ago

Vatican refuses to bless same-sex unions under Pope Francis, saying God 'cannot bless sin'

ABC  

The Vatican has announced that priests cannot bless same-sex unions and that such blessings are not valid. Key points: The Catholic Church says it welcomes gay people but not their relationships The ruling was approved by Pope Francis who has supported civil protections for gay couples A leading gay Catholics group described the news as "not surprising but disappointing" It …

LGBTQ Catholics stung by Vatican rebuff of same-sex unions
3 years, 9 months ago

LGBTQ Catholics stung by Vatican rebuff of same-sex unions

Associated Press  

The Vatican’s declaration that same-sex unions are a sin the Roman Catholic Church cannot bless was no surprise for LGBTQ Catholics in the United States — yet it stung deeply nonetheless. She was responding to a formal statement Monday from the Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, saying Roman Catholic clergy may not bless such …

Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’
3 years, 9 months ago

Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’

Associated Press  

ROME — The Vatican declared Monday that the Catholic Church won’t bless same-sex unions since God “cannot bless sin.” The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response to a question about whether Catholic clergy have the authority to bless gay unions. The Vatican holds that gay people must be treated with dignity …

Vatican Says Church Can't Bless Same-sex Unions as Gay Acts Are 'Sinful', Pope Francis Agrees
3 years, 9 months ago

Vatican Says Church Can't Bless Same-sex Unions as Gay Acts Are 'Sinful', Pope Francis Agrees

News 18  

The Vatican said on Monday that priests and other Roman Catholic Church ministers cannot bless same-sex unions and that such blessings are “not licit” if carried out. Pope Francis approved the response, the CDF said, adding that it was “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite”. At …

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