Pope Francis Seen As Distancing Himself from Vatican Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Couples

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A key point of contention in the debate over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's (CDF) document last Monday that banned blessings for same-gender couples is what role Pope Francis played in its promulgation. A new report from America suggests the pope took a step on Sunday to distance himself from the document. Read More

U.S. Catholics Roundly Condemn Vatican Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Couples

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Catholic advocates for LGBTQ equality have reacted strongly against the Vatican's response ad dubium yesterday in which it banned the blessing of same-gender unions. Read More

Bishops’ Statements Reveal Divisions Over Vatican’s Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Unions

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With each passing hour it seems, news breaks about another church leader or Catholic group offering their thoughts about the Vatican's responsum earlier this week that banned blessings for same-gender unions. While much of the commentary has been condemnatory of the Vatican's action, some ranking church leaders have come to its defense. Read More

On the Fifth Anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia,” What’s Love Got to Do with It?

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On the fifth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (AL), one refrain keeps coming to my mind “What’s Amor Got to Do With It?” Read More

Bishop Is “Ashamed” of Church, Apologizes for Vatican’s Ban on Same-Gender Blessings

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Bishops in Belgium have affirmed a member of their episcopate who expressed his disagreement with the Vatican over church blessings for same-gender couples, which Rome banned on Monday. Meanwhile, in Germany, support for LGBTQ inclusion continues to grow, too. Read More

Nearly 1,000 Pastoral Ministers in Germany Commit to Blessing Same-Gender Couples

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In response to the Vatican's responsum on blessing same-gender unions this week, nearly 1,000 pastoral ministers in Germany, as well as other Catholics, have signed a letter in support of such blessings. Elsewhere in the country, bishops and priests are raising objections to the ban at an increasing pace. Read More

Austrian Priests Respond to Vatican Ban on Queer Blessings with “Call to Disobedience”

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A group of reform-minded Austrian priests have issued the strongest critique yet of the Vatican's ban on blessing same-gender unions, published Monday by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Read More

Cardinal Cupich, Elton John, and LGBTQ Catholics Comment on Vatican’s Blessings Ban

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A top U.S. cardinal, Elton John, and LGBTQ Catholics worldwide are all weighing in on the Vatican's recent ban on blessings for same-gender unions, often with negative appraisals about an action causing much harm. Read More

A Catholic Blessing for Same-Gender Couples

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To help Catholics who want to bless same-sex couples, New Ways Ministry is making available the text of a blessing ceremony that all people--lay, vowed, ordained--can use.  Read More

Top German Bishop “Not Happy” with Vatican Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Couples

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A top German bishop has expressed his disappointed with the Vatican's recent statement banning the blessing of same-gender unions, suggesting the question is not settled. Read More