Catholics Must Resist the Blessing of Homosexual Couples

Little did we realize last week’s post, No Fools like Old Fools, would include Pope Francis. Yesterday, it was announced that the Pontiff published a four-page document permitting Catholic priests the green light to bless homosexual couples. Predictably, the famous gay cleric, Rev. James Martin, quickly wrote on his social media account that he would be delighted to bless his friends in same-sex unions.

The timing of the Pope’s announcement couldn’t be worse or less harmful to the faithful. Just days before Christmas, when all thoughts and prayers are directed to the Incarnation of Jesus and the celebration of the Holy Family, the Pope has shaken and confused the Catholic world by rejecting two thousand years of tradition and Scripture by allowing the sacrilege of blessing sinful relationships.

In the document in question, Fiducia Supplicans, the Pope tries to thread the needle by upholding the Sacrament of Marriage and the blessings bestowed as a liturgical rite, which it is.  He then begins to explain non-liturgical blessings in this manner: “They lead us to grasp God’s presence in all events of life and remind us that, even in the use of created things, human beings are invited to seek God, to love him, and serve him faithfully.”

What type of mental gymnastics are needed to ignore what Catechism #2367 teaches as inherently disordered unions are actively serving God faithfully?  In other words, the blessings are acceptable if they don’t resemble the marriage ritual.

The Pope’s reasoning is ludicrous. It is like saying the Church would be willing to bless an adulterous man and his mistress in their illicit relationship if they voice a petition for God’s assistance to legitimize an inherently sinful union as long as it doesn’t look like the blessings bestowed upon a couple during their wedding.   

The heart of the document is based upon a “pastoral approach” to homosexual couples who request a blessing but does not mention the reason for the request. Similarly, when same-sex unions were the talk of a secular society, the demand for the ‘right’ to marry was meant to mainstream the notion and legitimize a practice that was never acknowledged in the civilized world. How does not a blessing normalize a sinful life in the religious realm? Pastorally speaking, Jesus always forgives sinners, and the woman caught in adultery is emblematic. She was not condemned by Jesus but forgiven, with the admonition of not sinning again. Can the same be said about a homosexual couple who has no intention of splitting up but still wishes the Church to bless their partnership?   

The document further states, “In order to help us understand the value of a more pastoral approach to blessings, Pope Francis urges us to contemplate, with an attitude of faith and fatherly mercy, the fact that “when one asks for a blessing, one is expressing a petition for God’s assistance, a plea to live better, and confidence in a Father who can help us live better. This request should, in every way, be valued, accompanied, and received with gratitude. In his ever-pastoral approach, the Pope sidesteps the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the way in which tradition has always encouraged the faithful to live better lives by confessing their sins with a firm amendment to sin no more.

The gift of free will is also glaringly absent from this pronouncement. Humans have been given the faculty of choosing between good and evil, and individuals are not solely determined by nature as if they have no choice.  Francis’ rationale for blessing homosexual couples insinuates these individuals have little or no choice in committing acts contrary to God’s law. His thoughts about the incapability of persons were broadcasted years ago when he spoke about cohabitation in his Encyclical, Amoris Laetitia. People do have the choice of living in sin or not. There is no misguided pastoral sympathy that can change that fact. The Pope’s approach and suggestion to his clergy to accompany people where they are sounds more like enabling than it does with moral guidance dedicated to saving souls.

The blessing of homosexual couples will not only confuse the faithful but lead others less informed to continue their sinful life at the cost of their souls. By defying scripture and tradition by some twisted logic, Francis will inevitably divide the Body of Christ.

Blessings are meant to affirm the presence of God and give homage to God’s providence, power, and order he has established. Catholics must resist any blessing used for the contrary, and the blessings of homosexual couples are one of them.