(CNN) — “Pope Francis formally permitted Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples on Monday, in a significant shift in Vatican doctrine.
The pope’s attempts to shift the church’s approach to LGBTQ Catholics began in 2013, when, in reply to a reporter’s question about gay clergy, he said: “Who am I to judge?”
James Martin, a Jesuit priest who ministers to gay Catholics, described the latest move as a “major step forward in the church’s ministry to LGBTQ people,” writing on X that it “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence in their loving relationships.”
Francis has indicated his support for the civil recognition of same-sex couples, and sought to move the Vatican away from some of the harsh language it has used in the past about gay people.
The pope has also offered his support to a nun from the United States, Jeanine Gramick, who has ministered to gay Catholics for years. She had previously been censured by the Vatican but recently met with Francis, who described her as a “valiant woman.””
Great News out of the Vatican today as the Pope has announced that Roman Catholic Priests can now bless same-sex marriages. The news first gained attention about two months ago, when the Pope spoke of his intentions, but it was made formal today.
Although the decision comes with some caveats this is definitely a momentous step forward for the LGTBQ+ community who want religion to be part of their journey. Now that God’s Catholic Consigliere has given the green light to same-sex couples, how long before the morally manipulative Religious Right in the United States gets the message?
In a previous article, I covered how the Pope feels that American Conservatives are not driven by faith and humanitarian concerns but are motivated by political ideology under the guise of religion. If the Pope is telling you that you are using religion to justify political persecution then you have been doing it wrong all along. The foundation of most religions is to treat others as you would want others to treat you. Helping the less fortunate and those who are persecuted for their views. Yet, it seems like American Conservatives must have received the memo on Opposite Day.
Condemning and judging others who don’t share your religious beliefs, has become a staple of the Religious Right in America. If you don’t believe me, then just ask Pope Francis because he has expressed that same opinion in a recent meeting with the Cardinals from around the world.
I, myself grew up with a Roman Catholic background. I was baptized, made my first communion, and was even confirmed in the church. However, I decided as an adult to leave organized religion. When the realization that religious rules were written by men from long ago, and not some higher power, became apparent. I still live my life with the core values that my parents taught me and religion probably should have. Which comes down to live and let others live however they want. Something that has fallen off the top 10 list of many modern religious conservatives. I see more people using religion as a political means of controlling those whose beliefs don’t align with theirs. Which is why organized religion has lost so many followers like myself. You don’t need another person to set rules regarding your faith and I certainly don’t want the United States government to be allowed to dictate how its citizens should interpret theirs.
For the full CNN article quoted click the link below
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/18/europe/pope-francis-same-sex-couples-blessing-intl?cid=ios_app
The-Anti-Social-Media Pro-DEMOCRACY WING 
I have to say, I am so incredibly happy to see this from clergy. For too many years, the Liars and politicians, profiteers of the prisons as well as the engravers and enslavers of men and women (Including members of clergy that rule through religion) would strip the children to the nude and then tell them God will forgive them.
– Lee Levechtin
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