Did Pope Francis authorize same-sex blessings?

This is a very scary development. The pope has issued a statement paving the way for blessing of same-sex couples. Of course, it's not stated as plainly as that and in the details it seems that homosexual relationships continue to be deemed as sinful. However, that's not the impression everyone has and this decision can only lead to yet more confusion. To see the original document, go here.

Technically speaking, it seems there was a question presented to the Church asking whether or not a priest could bless a same-sex couple and the reply was that it's not possible to bless such a union. However, of course, the Church can bless individuals. Behind this blessing is the presupposition that the person in question, even if they are leading a sinful life in some aspect, affirms the Church's teaching and at least desires to follow the Church.

So technically a priest could bless a same-sex couple with the implicit understanding that they recognized the problem with their union and that they would struggle to live according to the Church's doctrines. This is what the pope has been promoting and announcing.

Of course, anyone can see the problem with this. It's very difficult to separate out specifically what is being prayed for. In Germany they are already having lay-led same-sex blessings done in Catholic Churches. Most lay Catholics are not very familiar with Church law and morality to begin with. Many live outside the dictates of the Church. Yet we're supposed to believe that these same people will grasp the subtleties of these particular blessings and understand the nuances: i.e. "We're blessing each member of this union separately to pray that they lead a holy life, and even though they are doing it next to each other and are seemingly being blessed at the same time, this union is not endorsed by the Church, etc."

At this point, it may be best to just ignore Pope Francis. He seems to enjoy causing disorder, division and chaos. I can't tell you his motivations as he hasn't shared them with me. However, the role of the pope is to be a unifying force, someone who is clear on doctrine.

This is something I've thought about recently. Different people within the Church have different roles. Not everyone is meant to be the same. Some people are hard manual laborers, like St. Joseph. Others are intellectuals like St. Thomas Aquinas. Still others are more charismatic, and others are contemplative. You can't say any of these particular gifts or charisms are bad. But I feel that certain roles in the Church need some charisms or qualities more than others.

The pope's primary role is to be a "Rock", like Peter was the Rock upon which Christ built the Church. It's not the job of the "Rock" to question things, throw in monkey wrenches, stretch the limits of acceptability, etc. He has to be a strong unifying force. The pope should also be very clear and solid, not ambiguous and confusing like the current pope.

A good article on this situation can be found here.

The English version of the document issued by the CDF can be found here.