On whether the practice of blessing same-sex unions is in keeping with Catholic revelation and the Church\u2019s magisterium, Francis said \u201cthe Church has a very clear concept on marriage: An exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to begetting children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly this union is called \u2018marriage.\u2019 Other forms of union are only realized \u2018in a partial and analogous way\u2019, which is why they cannot strictly be called \u2018marriage,\u2019\u201d the pope said.<\/p>\n
Sacramental marriage \u201cis much more than a mere \u2018ideal,\u2019\u201d he said, adding this is why the Church \u201cavoids every type of rite or sacrament that can contradict this conviction and imply that something is recognized as marriage which is not.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Pope Francis stressed the need for compassion in the Church\u2019s pastoral care of homosexual individuals, and signaled an openness to blessing same-sex unions on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn dealing with people we must not lose pastoral charity, which must pass through all of our decisions and attitudes,\u201d he said, saying \u201cthe defense of the objective truth is not the only expression of this charity, which is also made of kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pope offers cautious \u2018yes\u2019 on blessing some same-sex unions, \u2018no\u2019 on women priests @Pontifex<\/a> #PopeFrancis<\/a> #Dubia<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/LEVB2NVNPT<\/a><\/p>\n — Elise Ann Allen (@eliseannallen) October 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n