According to the Catholic Church, because of the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” approved by Pope Francis, it will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualization or offering the impression of a marriage.
The Vatican News says the Fiducia supplicans document “explores the theme of blessings, distinguishing between ritual and liturgical ones, and spontaneous ones more akin to signs of popular devotion. It is precisely in this second category there is now consideration of the possibility of welcoming even those who do not live according to the norms of Christian moral doctrine but humbly request to be blessed.”
However, should Catholic priests and bishops bless same-sex couples and relationships? Besides the doctrines of the Catholic faith, what does the Bible actually say about same-sex couples and homosexual relationships? Is there ever any context or circumstance where blessings can be given to same-sex couples or a same-sex relationship?
So the most controversial word used in the Fiducia supplicans declaration is the word “bless” or “blessing” and the doublespeak language that appears to be used in the document. One could critically question why another word besides “bless” was not used as the true meaning of this particular word appears to be skewed or distorted within the document.
By definition the word “bless” means: to pronounce words in a religious rite in order to confer or invoke divine favour upon; ask God to look favourably on
Other definitions of “bless”: To make holy by religious rite; sanctify; to speak well of; to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers, to ask God’s blessing on a thing,
If the Fiducia supplicans claims to still regard marriage as between a man and a woman, then logically and spiritually it does not make sense to “bless” an act or relationship that is morally, spiritually and Biblically wrong.
In other words, despite the creation of man-made doctrines like the Fiducia supplicans, God’s word does not change; God cannot bless sin and therefore God cannot approve or bless same-sex relationships.
Isaiah 5:20 reads: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Romans 1:26-28 says: For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done
Based on Isaiah 5:20 and Romans 1:26-28, Catholic priests or other Christians have no business attempting to “bless” any sinful act or lifestyle that God Himself disapproves of.
To bless sin would be an act of rebellion against God and His word.
Homosexuality or any kind of LGBTQ lifestyle is a sin against God with eternal detrimental effects.
1 Corinthians 6:9 says: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
So people in homosexual relationships do not need their union or relationship to be “blessed” by a priest.
Instead same-sex couples need moral and spiritual counselling; they need to understand the consequence of embracing sin; they need forgiveness, repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ; they need to be told the truth of God’s word in love.
1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God loves all of humanity, but He hates our sin. Our sins, including the sin of homosexuality are what nailed Jesus Christ to the cross.
Jesus Christ died on the cross and was crucified as our Substitute on account of our sins – including the sin of homosexuality (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10).
No matter the kind of sins we have committed, God is merciful and forgiving. God is able to give us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ who paid for our sins on the cross and rose on the 3rd day to prove His victory over sin and death. Christ’s resurrection assures us that all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior will experience eternal life.
Therefore people who are morally and spiritually lost do not need their sins to be approved or “blessed”. Instead people need to be told the truth in love: that God loves them, but He hates our sin, and that is why Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. We all need to be given the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ so that we may repent and be in right relationship with God.
