Pope Francis Defends Blessing LGBTQ+ Couples—and Everyone; And More News

The debate over Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican's declaration allowing blessings for couples in "irregular" situations, continues unabated. In posts today and tomorrow, Bondings 2.0 reports on the latest developments. Read More

You’re Invited! The Synod & LGBTQ+ Issues: Towards October 2024

Between now and October 2024, the Vatican has asked Catholics to both deepen and broaden their engagement with the Synod. To help LGBTQ+ people and allies respond to this invitation, New Ways Ministry is hosting a panel featuring two Synod delegates, Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns and Julia Osęka. Read More

Advocates Keep Rejoicing Over Vatican Approval of Same-Gender Blessings

Today's first post is a round up of reactions to "Fiducia supplicans" from LGBTQ+ advocates that have not yet been covered. Read More

Vatican: Bishops May Not Ban Blessing Same-Gender Couples

The Vatican's doctrinal office has issued a clarification that bishops may not bar priests from blessing couples in "irregular" situations, including same-gender couples, that it allowed in its recent declaration, Fiducia supplicans. Read More

Archbishop Cordileone Partially Bans Blessing LGBTQ+ Couples

Contradicting Pope Francis, a U.S. archbishop has said priests may deny blessings to same-gender couples. Today's post features that news, along with other U.S. prelates' reactions to Fiducia Suplicans, the Vatican declaration allowing such blessings. Read More

Church Must Facilitate Faith and Sexuality Conversations, Urges Malaysian Gay Catholic

A gay Catholic in Malaysia has urged the church to better host and facilitate conversations about faith and sexuality in his home country. Read More

French Archbishop Will Bless Same-Gender Couples; More Positive Responses

Today's post highlights positive responses from around the world to the Vatican's declaration allowing blessings for same-gender couples. Read More

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

In Reversal, Saint Mary’s College Ends Policy Welcoming Transgender Students

A Catholic women's college has reversed its decision to admit transgender students after facing backlash from the local bishop. Read More