Pope Francis had on Friday justified a Vatican document regarding the blessings for same-sex couples but he had countered the controversy surrounding it saying that they were not an approval of a lifestyle the Church sees as borderline sinful but rather, of individuals looking to get closer to God.
This is the second time in as many weeks that Francis sought to explain the December 18 declaration, which caused widespread controversy and led to several differing takes in the Church, with bishops in several countries refusing to let their priests execute it. The Pope had first tried to explain his stance in an Italian television interview on January 14.
Pope Francis had said that the intentions of the blessings, were to definitively show the closeness of the Lord and the Church to all those who, upon finding themselves in different situations, ask for help to continue – or even sometimes, to begin – a journey of faith.”
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that gay sex is sinful and unsystematic and that people with same-sex attractions, which are not considered sinful, should try to be virtuous.
The pope said that while “moral perfection” was not a requirement for people seeking such blessings, they were not intended to justify a relationship which the Church deems irregular.
“When a couple comes forward spontaneously to ask for them (the blessings), one does not bless the union, but simply the people who have requested it together. Not the union, but the persons in particular,” Francis said.
Pope Francis additionally emphasised that such blessings should not be given in a liturgical context but should rather be delivered carefully and never with any of the opulence or ceremonial trappings found at weddings.
