ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Pope Francis has signaled a potential shift in the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex unions.
In a letter addressed to a group of cardinals, the Pope emphasized “pastoral charity” and expressed openness to bless individual same-sex unions on a case-by-case basis.
In 2021, the Vatican had decreed that the Catholic Church could not bless gay marriages, citing that God “cannot bless sin.”
However, the Pope’s recent statement suggests a willingness to address the pastoral needs of same-sex couples and offer understanding and support, even though the Church continues to recognize marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman.
Pope Francis stressed that priests should not simply judge and exclude, but rather exercise patience and understanding when people seek blessings.
He explained that requesting a blessing is a plea to God for assistance in living a better life, even in situations that may be considered “not morally acceptable.“
He wrote: “The Church has a very clear understanding of marriage: an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to procreation.
“Only this union can be called marriage. Other forms of union realise it only in a partial and analogous way so they cannot be strictly called marriage.
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“For this reason, the Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction and suggest that something that is not marriage is recognised as marriage.
“However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes.
“The defence of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.
“Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage.
“For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better. Although there are situations that are not morally acceptable from an objective point of view, the same pastoral charity requires us not to simply treat as sinners other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors affecting subjective accountability.
“Decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm. Not everything that is part of practical discernment in particular circumstances can be elevated to the level of a rule.
“Canon law should not and cannot cover everything, as the life of the Church flows through many channels other than normative ones.”
While the Pope’s remarks point towards a more compassionate approach, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) clarified that this does not represent a change in the Church’s traditional teachings on homosexuality.
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The CSN official emphasized that the Catholic Church still views same-sex relationships as “objectively sinful” and does not recognize same-sex marriage.
The Pope’s nuanced approach, as interpreted by the CSN, reflects a shift away from a focus solely on denial, rejection, and exclusion.
“Pope Francis also emphasized that the Catholic Church still considers same-sex relationships ‘objectively sinful’ and does not recognize same-sex marriage.
“The Pope’s role is to guide and interpret Church teachings, and any potential changes or developments in the Church’s stance on same-sex relationships would require careful consideration and consultation within the broader framework of Catholic theology and doctrine”, the CSN official clarified.
In response to the Pope’s statements, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) chose to maintain a dignified silence on the matter.
The PFN’s Administrative Secretary, Pastor Akinwale Akinola, cited the diversity of ideologies within religious denominations and mentioned that they would not comment at this time, similar to how the Anglican Church in Nigeria had responded to similar issues in the past.
”If you remember when the Church of England endorsed same-sex marriage, there were agreements and disagreement among themselves; the Anglican Church in Nigeria refused to comment on it.
”The former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop Peter Akinola, was silent on it and did not say anything“, the PFN said.