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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.
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.
A gay Catholic couple in Italy, who had a 2015 phone conversation with Pope Francis about their concerns over the church welcoming their children, have spoken out now about the pope’s affirming message to them in that call.
As Pope Francis has consistently emphasized, mercy encounters persons and their needs, not their moral infractions. When Catholic families and communities learn to see others with these eyes, new horizons in how we imagine the extent and diversity of our families may well unfold.
A leading bishop in Mexico has spoken favorably about Pope Francis’ support for same-gender civil unions and call for families not to exclude LGBTQ members.
A transgender Catholic legislator in the Philippine has been using Pope Francis’s recent endorsement of same-gender civil unions to encourage LGBTQ equality in that country, including the legalization of civil unions.
For many commentators, Pope Francis’ recent comments reiterating his support for civil unions that recognize same-gender couples were not far enough. Less heard, but quite relevant, are voices who note that Francis simply speaking of LGBTQ people positively makes a tremendous impact in areas where LGBTQ people remain very much at risk.
Two Catholic theologians have asserted that Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-gender civil unions should be heeded by the U.S. Catholic bishops because their pastoral approach to the LGBTQ community compared to Pope Francis’ approach are worlds apart.
Responses to Pope Francis’ support for civil unions that recognize same-gender couples have continued to be posted online through media interviews, social media posts, and statements.
A theologian has suggested that after Pope Francis endorsed civil unions, the church cannot deny any longer blessings to same-gender couples. Meanwhile, some bishops, episcopal conferences, and priests continue taking a more negative approach.