Posts

Vatican’s Blessings Declaration Is “Essential But Awkward” Progress, Writes Theologian

/1 Comment/in , , , , /by
Xavier Montecel highlights the awkwardness of the declaration’s attempt to maintain church doctrine on same-gender sexual activity while providing what he terms “a pastoral workaround.” Read More

LGBTQ+ Couples Are Not Only to Be Blessed: They Are Blessings to the Church

/0 Comments/in , , , /by
The debate over Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican's declaration allowing blessings for couples in situations deemed "irregular"y by church leaders, has prompted once LGBTQ+ Catholic to reflect on not only same-gender love, but all forms of love not fully embraced by the church. Read More

North African Bishops Break from Peers, Affirm LGBTQ+ Blessings; And More News

/3 Comments/in , , , , , /by
Bishops in North Africa have endorsed "Fiducia Supplicans," the Vatican declaration on blessings, breaking from a African bishops' wider statement rejecting the declaration in harsh terms. Today's post features this story and other development in the debate over blessings same-gender couples and others in "irregular" situations. Read More

German and Flemish Bishops Warmly Welcome Vatican’s Declaration on Blessings

/2 Comments/in /by
German church leaders have welcomed the Vatican declaration allowing blessings for same-gender couples. Today's post is a collection of their responses, as well as from the Flemish bishops. Read More

Berlin’s Archbishop Will Not Sanction Priests Who Bless LGBTQ+ Couples

/2 Comments/in , , , , , , /by
A German archbishop has said that while he will not perform blessings of LGBTQ+ couples, no priest or pastoral minister who does so will be sanctioned in his archdiocese, a position he roots in the teachings of Pope Francis. Read More

New Ways Ministry Praises German Church’s Unprecedented Vote for LGBTQ+ Blessings

/1 Comment/in , , , , , , /by
The following is a statement from Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s Executive Director, on today's historic vote in Germany seeking to bless LGBTQ+ couples. Read More

Catholic Leaders, Including Bishop Stowe, Begin Pride Month with Blessing Service

/0 Comments/in , , /by
Several Catholic leaders joined DignityUSA to mark the beginning of Pride Month with a prayer service focused on blessing, including one bishop. Read More

Tell Your Stories of LGBTQ Love Through New Series: “You Are a Blessing to Us”

/0 Comments/in , , , /by
Bondings 2.0 is starting a project called “You Are a Blessing to Us” in which we are asking our blog readers to submit short descriptions of same-gender couples that have been blessings to individuals and to faith communities. Read More

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh Signs Petition to Launch LGBTQ Center at Boston College

/2 Comments/in , , , /by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh has signed a petition by Boston College students calling for their university to establish an LGBTQ resource center and add gender identity to the university non-discrimination policy. In a related story, students from the same school have organized a petition opposing the Vatican’s ban on blessing same-gender couples. Read More

Vatican Ban on Same-Gender Blessings Imperils LGBTQ People, Say African Activists

/3 Comments/in , , , , , /by
LGBTQ Catholics worldwide continue to resist the Vatican's ban on blessing same-gender couples. Today's post features some of those reactions, including from activists in two African countries. Read More