Rome (CNN) The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions, in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.
Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See referred to homosexuality as a “choice,” described it as sinful and said it “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.
“The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit,” the Vatican’s top doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote in the statement.
God “does not and cannot bless sin,” the statement added.Pope Francis, who has frequently been praised for his welcoming tone towards LGBTQ people both within and outside the Church, approved the note.
The decision is a setback for Catholics who had hoped the institution would modernize its approach to homosexuality. Dozens of countries, include many in western Europe, have legalized same-sex marriages, and the Church’s reticence to embrace LGBTQ people has long held the potential to alienate it from younger followers.
Suggested reading by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times for understanding morality and promoting secularism in every country of the world
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Ted Talk: Achieving Secularism, Gender Equality and Interfaith Tolerance Within Islamic Paradigm
Some Argue Islamism from the Quran and others Secularism and Many argue Both on the Same Day
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Are Religions Pluralistic or Myopic and Parochial?
Reading the Quran and the Bible Literally Means Demons and Jinns Will Rule Humans
Do Religious or Spiritual People Make More Ethical Employees?
Richard Dawkins admits a world with no God would be immoral
Dr. Zia H Shah’s interview by Voice of Islam: Is Morality Objective or Subjective?
National Geographic Video: All Knowing, All Seeing God Keeps Us Away from Crime and Sin, See the Evidence
The West Needs Islam: Because Ashley Madison Revealed 38 Million Cheating Spouses
63% of Americans say it is NOT necessary to believe in God in order to be moral
If the Atheists and the Christians Debate, Islam Wins!
Religious People Are Less Smart but Atheists Are Psychopaths
If organised mainstream Christianity is on the way out, what will replace it?
Do atheists secretly believe in God? Finnish Study
Kripkean Dogmatism: The Best Metaphor to Understand Religious and Political Debates
Categories: Abrahamic faiths, Catholic Church, Catholicism, Catholics, Homosexuality, Morality/moral values
No wonder religion is dying out. And thank goodness it is.
Well, Muslims would not perform Nikah for a same sex couple either, I suppose