As the synod, a major gathering for possible evolution of the Church, opens Wednesday, Pope Francis released a letter in which he considers blessings of same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.
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L’Ewill the church one day agree to bless unions between people of the same sex? In a letter addressed in July to conservative cardinals and published Monday October 2, the Pope Francis opens a small door. He invites us to look for forms of blessing that could respond to the requests of homosexual couples.
>> History info: before Pope Francis, the political positions of his predecessors
In this letter made public by the Vatican, the Pope writes that Catholic marriage is happening “between a man and a woman”but the application of the doctrine does not prevent us from showing kindness, understanding and tenderness and therefore, according to him, from studying forms of blessing which would respond to the aspirations of the homosexual faithful.
A gathering desired by the Pope, after more than 10 years of pontificate
Pope Francis writes this letter at a very specific time. A large gathering wanted by Francis opens Wednesday after more than 10 years of pontificate. During this month of synod, a possible evolution of the functioning of theEchurch in the 21st centurye century will be discussed. It is in this context that five cardinals known to be conservatives made public an address to the Pope in which they evoked their fears in the face of possible developments.
The letter released by the Vatican is Francis’ response: consider blessings of same-sex couples, not marriages, not to make it a norm, almost on a case-by-case basis. This is similar to the position he took on whether divorced-remarried couples should be allowed to participate in communion, another sensitive issue.