Top Cardinal Responds to Global Bishops’ Swift Criticism of Blessings Declaration

In Pope Francis' nearly-eleven year tenure, perhaps nothing he has done has prompted so many responses in such a short time as approving blessings for same-gender couples. Within a day or two of the Vatican declaration on blessings, titled Fiducia Supplicans, being released, dozens, if not hundreds, of church leaders and other Catholics spoke out—and strongly. Read More

The Church Can Bless Queer Couples. But What’s Actually Possible?

Can the official teaching of the Church come to recognize and value the lives and loves of queer Catholics? Why not? Read More

LGBTQ+ Advocates Celebrate Pope’s Approval of Same-Gender Blessings

On Monday, the Vatican issued a declaration, approved by Pope Francis, that made blessings for same-gender couples possible in the church. In posts this week, Bondings 2.0 will detail various reactions from Catholic LGBTQ+ advocates, secular groups, church leaders, and others. Read More

Blessing LGBTQ+ Couples Is “Real Development” in Church Teaching, Says Vatican

Pope Francis has approved blessing same-gender couples in what the Vatican's doctrinal office referred to as a "real development" in church, emphasizing now that "God never turns away anyone who approaches him!” Read More

New Ways Ministry: Pope’s Blessings Approval Is Early Christmas Gift to LGBTQ+ Catholics

LGBTQ+ Catholics worldwide welcome this early Christmas gift, which brings them much closer to being full and equal members of the Church they love so dearly. Read More

Are Trans Catholics Welcome in the Church? This May Not Be the Right Question.

Perhaps this Advent season is a time to listen and amplify the voices of those on the margins, to allow those trans Catholic voices crying out to be heard by the wider church. Read More

In South Korea, Monthly Mass Helps LGBTQ+ Catholics Find Community

A South Korean archdiocese has provided support to a forum aimed at spiritually nourishing LGBTQ+ people and helping them to speak out against discrimination. Read More

Massachusetts Bishop, Faithful Jointly Publish Call for Greater LGBTQ+ Inclusion

A Massachusetts bishop and Catholic LGBTQ+ advocates have co-authored a call for their diocesan church to be more inclusive, inviting the faithful to become involved. Read More

As Church Debates LGBTQ+ Issues, Catholic Sisters Forge Ahead

The Catholic Church's dialogue about LGBTQ+ issues has advanced greatly under Pope Francis, yet whether and how to provide welcome and inclusion remains controverted. As has often been the case, women religious are not waiting in their outreach. Today's post highlights how Catholic sisters are forging ahead on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Read More

Vatican Letter Critical of Pro-LGBTQ+ German Catholics Escalates Tensions

The conflict between German Catholics and the Vatican has reached a new low. The Vatican released a letter criticizing the German church, specifically about has and women's ordination, while one top bishop forcefully defended the German faithful's efforts. Read More