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Pope defends same-sex blessings declaration, says it is misunderstood

Pope defends same-sex blessings declaration, says it is misunderstood

POPE Francis on Sunday defended a landmark decision approving blessings for same-sex couples, suggesting that those in the Catholic Church who have resisted it have jumped to "ugly conclusions" because they do not understand it. In a television interview, Francis made his first public comments since the December 18 declaration sparked widespread debate in the Church, with bishops in some countries, particularly in Africa, refusing to let their priests implement it. "Sometimes decisions are not accepted, but in most cases when decisions are not accepted, it is because they are not understood," Francis said in response to a specific question about the…
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German priests defy Vatican ban by blessing same-sex unions

German priests defy Vatican ban by blessing same-sex unions

ENRIQUE ANARTE THE Catholic Church has lost touch with the "living reality" of LGBT+ people, said one of more than 100 German priests who are defying the Vatican this week by blessing same-sex couples. In a move that angered liberals within the 1.3 billion-member Church, the Vatican's doctrinal office said in March that priests cannot bless same-sex unions in lieu of marriage, despite ministers doing so in countries such as Germany. "If we say that God is love, I cannot tell people who embrace loyalty, unity and responsibility to each other that theirs is not love, that it's a fifth-or…
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Timeline – Pope Francis’ LGBT+ views, as Vatican opposes same-sex blessings

Timeline – Pope Francis’ LGBT+ views, as Vatican opposes same-sex blessings

RACHEL SAVAGE THE Vatican said on Monday that priests cannot bless same-sex unions, disappointing LGBT+ Catholics who had hoped that the Church was becoming more open under Pope Francis, who has previously said he could not judge gay people. The ruling was issued by the Vatican's doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in response to questions from a number of dioceses as to whether ministers were allowed to bless same-sex unions. In some countries, including the United States and Germany, parishes and ministers had begun giving blessings, in lieu of marriage, which had alarmed conservatives in…
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