Pope Francis Says Priests Cannot Bless Same-Sex Unions, Dashing Hopes of Gay Catholics

Chico Harlan and Sarah Pulliam Bailey of The Washington Post report that Pope Francis has signed an official proclamation barring Catholic clergy from blessing same-sex unions. Some speculate that the decree is a response to German bishops’ ongoing revision of church doctrine regarding gender and sexuality. They write, “In some issues of controversy, Francis has left decision-making up to local churches, comfortable with policy that varies from country to country or even parish to parish. But in this case, Francis took the opposite approach — one that will put pressure on liberal clerics to fall in line.” The pope’s decision is in keeping with his opposition to same-sex unions, despite his reputation as a pontiff who welcomes LGBT Catholics.

Read at The Washington Post

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