LGBTQ+ groups praise Pope’s comments on same sex unions

LGBTQ+ groups are all ga-ga over Pope Francis comments on same sex couples recently. Responding to a “dubia” [formal questions brought by the cardinals] about same sex unions, Pope Francis had said that same-sex unions should have the opportunity to be blessed.

“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,” he said in a reply to the ‘dubia’.

“We cannot be judges who only deny, push back and exclude. As such pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or several people, that do no convey a wrong idea of a matrimony. Because when one seeks a blessing, one is requesting help from God.”

There was also a second question linked to the above where the cardinals asked; “Do homosexual acts and every sexual act outside of marriage still constitute an objectively grave sin against God’s law.”

LGBTQ+ likes the Pope

The second question has not yet been responded to by the Pope or the Catholic Church Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

LGBTQ+ Humanists co-ordinator Nick Baldwin said the question about homosexuality being an objectively grave sin against God’s law requires an answer.

“As Humanists, we support same-sex marriage and equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people. Same-sex blessing fall short of this. We call on the Pope, the Catholic Church and all religious institutions to treat same-sex relationships with equal respect.”

“We hope bishops around the world will follow Pope Francis.”

Bishop John Stowe from the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky said in an interview with Time magazine that although the Catholic Church believes marriage can only occur between a man and a woman, but a blessing can still hold great significance to queer couples because they act as prayers for God’s presence and help. It almost signifies God’s approval.