Catholic groups condemn Pope’s ‘profound cruelty’ in blocking gay marriage

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Pennsylvania

A number of Catholic groups have condemned Pope Francis after he backed a decision that the Vatican does not bless same-sex unions.

Earlier on March 15, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said Catholic priests had declared such blessings to be unlawful because God “does not bless sin.”

The statement sparked outrage given that the pope had previously signaled his support for same-sex couples.

Pope FrancisPA pictures

Earlier today, the New Paths Ministry said the decision was “disappointing” but “unsurprising”.

The group, which campaigns for justice and equality for LGBTQ+ Catholics, has urged the Pope to give his blessing to same-sex unions in the past.

Now New Ways says the decision is “helpless” because many Catholic leaders are still eager for such blessings to occur.

“People think that the teaching of the church evolves at the top and filters down. That’s not how it works […] The Catholic faithful have already expressed their support for same-sex couples, and they will continue to do so.

“This decision changes nothing other than to motivate more Catholics to support same-sex couples,” the group said.

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Jamie Manson, president of Catholics for Choice, a nonprofit that champions reproductive freedom, said it was an act of “profound cruelty to invalidate LGBTQ families in any form.” .

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“The Vatican’s needless attack on same-sex marriages appears to reflect an intent to erect walls that separate people and divide families instead of building bridges between all,” Manson said.

Today’s decision “places limits on the power of God to act in all relationships of all of God’s beloved children,” Manson added.

In a statement explaining its decision, the CFD said that “there is absolutely no reason to view same-sex unions as similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.”

Advocacy groups had hoped the pope would give his blessing to same-sex unions after a 2020 documentary about his life, francescoshowed it by saying that “homosexual people have the right to be in a family”.

“They are children of God and have the right to a family. No one should be kicked out or made miserable because of this. What we need to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” he added.

Other civil rights groups also chastised the news on Twitter. PFLAG, a network for LGBTQ+ people, said “being a person of faith and being an LBTQ+ person are not mutually exclusive.”

Another group, Q Christian Fellowship, also offered their support, writing: “To our LGBTQ+ Catholic brothers and sisters around the world who may suffer as a result of the Pope’s declaration: You are the unconditionally loved and affirming children of God . God looks upon your identities and relationships with delight.’

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