Pope Francis has made it clear that he would consider allowing homosexual blessings for gay couples in a Catholic church at the discretion of the individual parish priest. In a written letter dated September 25, Francis stated, “Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or several people that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage.”
Now, let’s imagine for a moment what these gay blessings might look like. Those receiving the blessing will probably want to look their best, so maybe the participants will get their hair done and wear a nice dress or fancy suit. To set the stage for the blessing, pretty flowers will most likely be set up all over the sanctuary and the rest of the church. Since it is an important day in the lives of the homosexual couple, they will probably want their family and friends to attend.
Since it is a blessing in a church, a reading or two from the scriptures might also be included. Maybe the well-known Love is.. from St. Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. Why not throw in classical music like Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Ave Maria, or some other traditional tune to add to the event’s solemnity? After the blessing is over, there will probably be pictures to memorialize the day. And why not have a big party afterward since everyone there is all dressed up and family and friends will want to celebrate the blessing with the gay couple?
Hmm…sounds an awful lot like a wedding, doesn’t it? So herein lies the scandal of these ill-advised blessings. They will become nothing more than quasi-gay weddings in a Catholic church. Sympathetic individual parish priests might go so far as to allow rings to be exchanged, a unity candle to be lit, and maybe even a kiss at the end. There will be no end to this travesty. These blessings will become a mockery of matrimony and, in the pope’s own words, create “a mistaken conception of marriage.”
Francis tried to justify his position by saying, “When you ask for a blessing you are expressing a request for help from God, a prayer to be able to live better, a trust in a father who can help us live better.” But to most people, a blessing means approval, as in, “I would like your blessing for xyz endeavor.” So, the mere fact that a blessing would be allowed will signal to most people that the Church not only approves of but condones these unions, which go against natural law and the revelation of God in the scriptures.
To be clear, the church does not condemn anyone with these tendencies. However, they are expected to live a chaste life and refrain from sinful relationships – just like anyone else in their state of life. One wonders why these couples need a special blessing. Why can’t they simply attend the sacraments like the rest of us and get their blessings?
Apparently, the alphabet mafia has totally infiltrated our church, and these factions will not be satisfied until the traditions and dogmas are totally upended and destroyed. Pray for the church and those who lead it. We are heading into some very perilous times.