Blessing Gay Couples? What Does it Mean? | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. 

You've chosen the path of moral courage, (one of the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary).

Please don't label yourself a homosexusl. You are a brother-in-Christ. You can choose to live habits that are holy. You do not have to start your journey with the negative label of homosexual. That is too hard of a path to go.

You are fucking delusional !😅

@@IONov990 Soren Kierkegaard wrote, "When you label me, you negate me." He was a profoundly Christian-thinker in that he recognized the trouble of our age when we abandon Christianity. We pursue a firm-footing in identity outside of Christianity, which does not end well for anyone. Christ is the only way we can hide and find ourselves. Any label whether politcially, sexually, socially, economically, is bound to fail and end in smoke. That is why SSA-afflicted people should realize that they are not "homosexuals" at bottom..

This is the problem I have with Catholics. They will always hold Mary in higher regard than Christ. Catholicism as a whole has perverted the scriptures.

Thank you. Truly. You are a friend❤

Please read my comment. God bless.

@@katehaven9374please read my comment. God bless.

Thank you friend. God bless and may the Lord be with you always!

Thanks for oyur concern...but we are not wrestling with this issue. We know the age-old teaching of the Catholic Church despite people from inside trying to destroy it.

So true 💔

they will see a thing happening that happened spontaneously and they weren't there for?

It’s one thing to tolerate evil and another to bless it. Pretty simple.

This is why God gives children parents to explain things they don't understand.

Why can't two guys be a couple?

did you not take a test to see if you carried the autistic gene? or your partner

Is there a church in your area that operates a single mom home? In Florida, the Florida Baptist church has one in a 4 cities.

Child of God -- I will pray for you. Life is a struggle for so many. But know without doubt that Christ is there. Will make a 9 day novena for you. God Bless.

I’ll pray for you. ❤

I will be praying for you. 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼

So, when you use the phrase "a couple of times", it should be pressumed you mean those times are in a sexual union and not that they're two instances of time. Right? Just trying to keep your logic consistent here.

My 😮 English language is complex. A couple of times is not the same as a couple. What makes two people a couple is a romantic relationship between them. Or you wrote a dictionary to redefine a couple? The document doesn't say a couple of times, it says a couple. Either your English is bad, you are feigning ignorance or simply being a hypocrite, i think you have walked the wrong lane, with all due respect.

@@sistafila “with all due respect” rings hollow considering what you wrote immediately preceding it.

@@josealzaibar5274 well reading the context, same sex couple. the nature is clearly of a sexual nature. the actuality of what is going proves this is heretical and blasphemous.

To bless a same sex couple is also blessing the Union. Otherwise we would continue the tradition of the past 2000 years and bless the individuals in the couple.

Fair enough. But would it be okay in your mind to have the same blessing (possibly wording it like: Lord, give this Man the courage and Faith to separate from his partner, Steve, and for him to live a life of chastity you have Called him to." And then repeat it over Steve? If the same blessing verbally was given over them at the same time, would that make a difference?

@@tessbabcock8169 If they come as a couple to be blessed, their intention is to have their relationship blessed. They have no intention of breaking up. What you are describing is a prayer for them not a blessing. It’s a fine prayer & may be helpful, if they are willing to cooperate with God’s grace. Priests have always been able to pray with people (and couples) and bless anyone as an individual. FS is talking about blessing them as romantic couples (while intending to bless them as persons) not simply praying with them. “Father, will you give us a blessing?” isn’t the same as “Father, will you pray for us?”

They think we're stupid.

Sad. But true.

I agree....just spent 30min looking at comments on Pope Marshall's podcast and 99% have fallen for his skullduggery...thank God for Fr Greg😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

It really is embarrassing to see.

​@@declancooney1029yeah because this pontificate has been utterly joyful, not one scandal, no alliances with communist China, no angry outbursts, no attacks on tradition, no glorification of abortion activists while simultaneously saying abortion is like hiring a hitman. The list goes on, but, hey, he isnt causing a mess here, oh wait, that's what he said he would do. By blaming this on Taylor Marshall is both puerile and embarrassing. Attack the claim and the bona fides of those making the claims. I'd bet you fell for the Covid too, and blamed Taylor Marshall.

The reality of a situation can sometimes be hidden from our eyes. The Holy Spirit see the big picture of the truth of each person's heart. The Media takes small pictures to make money. Trust God. Trust His vicar in spiritual matters, and pray that the full desire of God for all peoples will come to fruition soon. Jesus I trust in You.

Highly likely the people looking for this "blessing" of same sex couples are the same not going to confession.

@@jasong7128That’s what they want

@@jasong7128same as those who attend Sunday Mass

​@@jasong7128uselessly judgemental. The document poise the accent on the pastoral need to accept a request for a blessing as a request for God's mercy and an aknowledgement of the Church as a dispensary of such mercy, making it an intrinsic act of faith. Also, the Pastor can't presume the good will of the postulant; firmly reminding that a blessing CANNOT BE IMPARTED on things that are against God, the document reminds also priests that ANY MAN LOOKING FOR GOD'S MERCY IS WORTHY OF BLESSING, and can't possibly be, as a person, against the will of God.

“Go and sin no more” are the recorded words of Savior.

You can already get in the communion line in mortal sin, cross your arms, and receive a blessing from the priest. Should the priest audit you instead?

@@AndrewAMD That is an individual, not a couple.

Blessings are not exclusive to individuals. The priest blesses the entire congregation at each Mass.

@@roboboy731 The congregation is not a couple. Individuals are not couples. In the photo, these two men are a "married" couple, holding hands, and could be considered advocates for the lifestyle. They are not being blessed as individuals nor as a congregation and they have no intention of changing their lifestyle. St. Paul said this unrepentant activity bars one from heaven.

@@roboboy731the problem is a congregation has a relationship to itself different from two ssa people to each other. You’re asking us to ignore an obvious reality.

Do you think at any point the situation would have been expedited by you and your mistress approaching a priest together on the side and together asking for a blessing for strength to do the right thing? Do you think that in the blessing there could have been something even morr powerful than separately visiting the confessional? Or perhapd this blessing over you both might have been a supplement to your continuing separate confessions? I think it could have possibly been. Perhaps to "drive the point home" even further that you both were bound or tied togther in a sinful knot?

First of all the document is very clear if one reads it carefully. The person should always seek blessing no matter the state if their intentions are true. Second, it is counterproductive to slap people in the face for seeking forgiveness of their sins. In fact, anyone who does this sins even more gravely because of condemnation of brothers and sisters and opposing the magisterium.

Fake annulment fake confession

Yes, the SACRAMENT of penance exists for one of the purported purposes of this political document whose title translates to "TRUST ME, BRO!". Cardinal Müller's response to the document was very good in addressing this and the other purported purposes. The invention of a third type of benediction, past the sacramental type, past the ad hoc type as found in the Rituale, unto what they call the "pastoral" type, is invented only to bendicir que es malo: an adulterous couple, an homosexual couple, an abortion clinic, a mafia. It's not a benediction, it's a malediction, coming forth like an angel of darkness disguised as an angel of light. I recognise my shepherd's voice and he comes in by the gate, not by any other way.

I absolutely think if you were blessed as a couple you would still be struggling with that sin. But I also think you would never have gone as a couple because you knew it wasn't the correct thing to do. However, the men James Martin blessed, are married and do not see themselves as living against the Gospel. So this is blessing the couple who opening live in sin, therefore it is blessing sin.

Are you aware that, until this document, a priest could bless anyone anywhere/when/how he wanted? There were no restrictions. Now, with this document, there are specific restrictions on where/when/how he can bless certain people. They closed some doors on stuff like what was going on in Germany, for example. Doors were closed, no new doors were opened. Yet people are so bought into this narrative that Pope Francis is evil, that they are totally blind to what should have been a day of victory. They are addicted to fake news.

Fr Martin disobeyed the document right off the bat. He created a scandal. That's 100% on him, not the document itself. The channel Reason and Theology has a lot of content including someone simply reading the document with no commentary. Have a listen. Also, understand that this is a magisterial document which we as catholics owe submission of mind and heart to. We have a moral responsibility to interpret it in continuity with the Catholic faith (which Fr. Martin seems not to have done). It's also a grave sin to see the document through the lens of evil suspicion and doubt (like those in Catholic media that claim it's deliberately ambiguous.) It's the moral responsibility of every Catholic to defend this document against fake news about it.

EXACTLY! And both Francis and Fernandez know this.

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples. 

Martin is actively disobeying the document as he disobeys the bible itself.

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples. 

​@@signumcrucis71spreading fear and confusion isnt helping.

@@thelonelysponge5029 Now telling the truth is called spreading fear?!?! I am Catholic and work within the church, and I am 100% in agreement with the majority of Bishops who will not give blessings to validate sinful relationships. This Pope has been turning the Holy Roman Catholic Apostolic Church into another LGBTIQ Socialist party. It's a shame!

@@signumcrucis71 It is necessary for salvation to submit to the roman pontiff. The protestants don't, but thats because they dont know any better. Do you know who else disagrees with Rome? The Eastern Orthodox, are they completely good in their doctrines? They reject submission to the roman pontiff, and some reject important issues. Do you know who else is a bishop who rejected the papcy? Thomas Cranmer, who was an archbishop who became a protestant and broke away from Rome. I honestly don't care who you are. If you spread lies about the Holy Father for the sake of your traditions, then are you any better than the Pharisees? If you're catholic, that honestly makes things worse. A protestant? I understand, but a Catholic? Who gave you the authority to judge the pope? Are you seriously telling me that 2000 years of church history went down the drain because of one pope? If so, please don't look at the medival papacy. Go to confession my friend, it isnt too late.

who cares what man made church's say

“For those who need his help” miss that part? It’s for those seeking help under that specific disordered sinful life. It’s pastoral not making a new rite or anything. It’s saying if they ask for a blessing, givem a blessing; fat guy asks for a blessing- probably gluttonous but hey bless them. Some person the priest knows is an active drug addict- still blesses him. But if they obviously are acting out gay- bless them if they ask. That’s what i read.

I honestly don't care what he thinks, isn't listening to the pope better?

Sadly, Cardinal Muller is in error, which is indeed a rarity. He says in his response (regarding pastoral blessings): "They could be applied not only to persons in sin, as in “ritual” blessings, but also to things, places, or circumstances that are contrary to the Gospel." However, there is apparently no indication in FS that pastoral blessings apply to anything but persons, so his assumption that one could now bless "abortion clinics "is false.

all???????????????? maybe the laity?? maybe you as well??

​@@declancooney1029she isn't wrong to think this kind of blessing inappropriate.

Thats a dumb thing to say.

The witnesses are coming

Can I go up for a "BLESSING" with my mistress???

Slippery slope is not a valid argument. Many people think it is, but it is not. "You can not bless sin." This has been repeated over and over again by faithful clergy who have validated this document. Thr laity should be on watch, yes, but we must give the benefit of the doubt always and not be tempted towards suspicion which leads to scandal.

Agreed And what it is with those foul pink vestments for the third Sunday of Advent Gaudet Sunday. Is it the church’s rainbow flag?

@@pamh5441 🙄 🤦‍♂️ Good grief. They are rose vestments, not pink. The rose color symbolizes joy and rejoicing as we anticipate the coming of Christ. It reminds us that even in times of penance and preparation, we have cause to rejoice. It’s a centuries old tradition. Red and blue mixed together make purple, the somber color of lent and advent. The more blue in the color, the more somber. More red in the purple color is a brightening of the somberness. White symbolizes joy, so they add white to the reddish purple, and get rose.

I get your point, but we have immutable doctrine which restrains how far things can progress. While things have changed and developed much in recent decades, it has never resulted in the contradiction of the church’s own moral teaching.

Remember when Obama justified legalising same sex marriage? He said "love is love" But today we see men destŕøying female sports, children transitioning, more wild pride parades, sêx taught to children in schools, etc... Give them am inch, they'll grab a mile

LGBT couples should be blessed

I agree, user-sw9bo. One of the more disgracefuf aspects of this sorry business is that the document expresses the intention to provide no further explanations. 'What I have written, I have written' is the line adopted. The whole effect is as if a shepherd has led a flock of sheep and young lambs onto a cliff top that has been suffering from subsidence, and has then blithely walked away, leaving them to gambol aand stray wholly as they please.

You're the first person I've seen who talked about the sin of scandal. I didn't know how to put into words how significant this issue was, and "the sin of scandal" sums it up perfectly.

This is modernism.

Proud ‘rigid’ here.

The pope has gone apostate. I think whatever the evil is in the Vatican, pope Benedict chose to save his soul and retired. Francis leaned into it and is trying to lead as many souls to hell as he can gather.

I’m in the process of converting. And this has given me pause and that breaks my heart. I love the Catholic Church. My heart and soul have been blessed and nourished these past months. I know I want the sacramental faith but now I wonder if EO is my only route. I am watching closely. And praying.

@@LizCanKnit Find where Catholicism is being lived, taught and loved free of the modernist errors.

Exactly. This is “just the tip”. Only the willfully blind don’t see this coming. As soon as secular “Gay Marriage” was imposed on the USA by the SCOTUS, anyone with eyes open knew these people would be beating at the doors of our Church to sanctify their demonic practices.

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples.

It's literally in the document that there will never be gay '''marriage''' and that the Church cant bless sinful unions.

@@zenuno6936 who do they think they are fooling they are just playing along with the current narrative, God does not bless unrepented people this is not biblical this is rebelling against God.

but it isn't a sin, homophobia is

The Vatican should be crystal clear in its Doctrine. The realities of Sin is not the place to be vague and pharisiacal. A Doctrine that requires a lawyer to interpret it is worthless. Vigano has the right of it. This document and those that wrote it are trying to compromise with Sin, and thus serve Satan.

The document is clear, people are just playing dumb. The same people who say the bible doesnt condemn sodomy twist the document as well. Does the bible cause confusion?

No, their documents always seem to be wordy and unclear

Dear God please bless Ur flock keep Ur bride the holy church safe on the rock of Peter truly is Ur church the good Shepard Jesus protect us l beg u it's getting scary listening to so much confusion l ll stay in my own truth help of God what my parents thought me lm one of his flock God keep me safe as all Ur children amen

That seems spot on to me.

@@barryjackson1401 Yep. The term we do not hear anymore is Scandalizing the Faithful.

Thanks, Carlos. Cardinal Muller's response is so clear and truthful.

Amen, thank you!

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples.

take your meds

The African Bishops may very well be grossly homophobic as Africa is notoriously homophobic.

I invite you to meditate on 1 Corinthians 10:25-31. St. Paul speaks of eating with non-believers. He says that if they invite you to eat with them, you should eat with them, asking no questions for conscience' sake. However, if they tell you that it is meant as a sacrifice to idols, then you should refuse to eat with them, as your eating with them will validate the idol sacrifice in their eyes. I apply this to any friendly meeting or act of charity. If somebody asks for money, you should give them money. If somebody asks for food, you feed them. You should not concern yourself with the potential dark secrets of the receiving person's heart. If two people (a couple) come to you and appear to be repentant of their ways, and to grow closer to the will of God, then you should provide the blessing. It is only if they say that they wish their sinful relationship to be blessed that you should reserve the blessing.

To bless the couple only gives the couple the idea of their union being accepted and blessed, which is a false impression. They now feel empowered to claim whatever they think they should get now on. That document feeds greed. Pride will be the issue.

Here are the two principle issues I can see: 1.) The issue of the intent of the couple. If they seek legitimation of their union, then a blessing ought not to be given. But that would require some interrogation often to determine which goes against the spirit of spontaneity FS seems to envisage. 2.) The potential for scandal. If the blessing is done in public in view of other faithful who are aware of the relationship of the couple, there could be scandal. So a solution would be to do them by appointment in the privacy of the rectory where there might also be the possibility of conversation and catechisis. However, this also would go against the spontaneous nature of the blessing. The solution to both is to do what FS says and assume good will of the couple and if they have bad intentions, oh well, that's on them (don't ask, don't tell). And the scandal if done freely this way would be unavoidable, but could be addressed perhaps through catechisis via homilies or other communications to the faithful in the parish or diocese to explain why the blessings are limit and are not blessing the sinful aspects of those couples. Though to clarify, I do believe these blessings could happen in lots of circumstances where the Priest is aware they are not seeking legitimation and the risk of scandal is little to none.

@@ififif2022it is misleading as you say and that’s fundamentally what people are objecting to.

@@erric288don’t ask don’t tell doesn’t sound Catholic to me.

Why was it brought to the fore in the first place?

Even the appearance of the individuals as a ''couple'' is a scandal towards those of the faithful and weak faith. As long as they are together, regardless of sexual activity, they have to be separate. They need to remove the occasion of sin.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. In many sins, if not all, there are elements of good. For example, if I rob a bank while brandishing a firearm, it's a good thing that I didn't fire it and kill someone. But the fact that I never shot it while robbing the bank is not something to be praised or blessed, because that good act was in service of the robbery, namely a quicker and cleaner escape. Another example. When someone lies, there are elements of truth embedded in the lie. (That's how lies work. The truthful elements are used to setup and service the lie.) But it would be wrong to praise the liar for the truthful parts of his speech.

Respectfully, with the grammar and context of the sentence you're referring to, I think "relationships" in that usage refers to relationships plural, as in friends, family, etc. of those individuals up to the relationship the two individuals have with each other, which, regardless of the illicit nature of their union, a relationship (knowing each other, a spirit of friendship, etc.) exists. Even if it didn't mean that, asking that the positive elements of a relationship be "enriched, healed, and elevated" is calling for those elements to, well... grow, and be properly formed. In other words, this snippet is not blessing the relationship as in the union, but is asking that the two individuals would re-orient their sinful relationship toward the good and away from the "imperfections and frailties." If you're interested. Cardinal Fernandez did an interview with The Pillar that was just released today, titled: "Cardinal Fernández: Same-sex blessing ‘does not validate or justify anything.’"

​@@jazamaraz8029 they're not being praised, they're being blessed. Blessing a thief so that they would turn their generosity towards godly means or blessing a liar so that they would tell the truth more are surely good things. We all fall short but we can ask God to make use of what little He can find in us that is still good.

Thank you!!! I’ve been saying this to everyone! There’s no other way!

That’s actually nowhere in the Rite of the Sacrament of Penance.

@@mgtfoss Thats the norm for how you begin a confession…

It's not in the Rite to say those specific words. We just were taught to say them. Not saying it's bad.@@RGWerd83

that is Reconciliation(sacrament of Confession)

Good thing it's not a vote. But yes, there are some bishops out there that are confused about the document still.

@@nealkriestererwho benefitted from this and how

@nealkriesterer only people confused are those saying blessing same sex couples is not blessing sin....

​@@Metanoia000the father of confusion benefited handsomely from this.

@@nealkriestererGreat! I'm bringing tarots cards and a ouija board to be blessed after Mass tomorrow. It isn't a sacramental blessing after all and in no way affirms my occult practices...

The document deals with other disordered relationships as well, so yes there’s no reason to believe otherwise based on the reasoning there.

Yes. Par 31 says the document is addressing "the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex".

No u would have to be honest to the wife first and be who God made u

I agree 💯 Jeff

not really, love is simple

Can I bring tarots cards and a ouija board to be blessed, you know, out of accompaniment? No? But, it isn’t a sacramental blessing after all… Please use some logic.

Here is a quick explanation. Until two days ago (with this document) a priest could bless anyone anywhere/when they wanted. Now, with this document, there are restrictions on blessing certain people in some situations. Previously, it was up to the priest, now some doors have been closed. No new doors have been opened. Ironically, this is a victory - it utterly refutes the German bishops for example - but the world is so addicted to fake news that they are blind to it and instead think it's a loss. The word "couple" was used in the document to make it clear they were not referring to blessing unions. The situation being, what if two people in a nonmarital relationship come up to a priest and ask for a blessing to better themselves. How do you refer to these two? In translating the document to English, they chose the word "couple" which I think is probably the best choice they could have gone with. For example - union is from the word "unus" meaning one. Couple usually refers to two or more things, for example "there's a couple of spoons on the table." Hope this helps and God's blessing be upon you today

I feel your pain

​@@nealkriestererI think two people who use each other sexually, because they are a couple or union(doesn't matter) should be called to repentance. And not just get a blessing, because this can lead to confusion for the couple themselves and for the people who see this

@@honest-fanboycan we stop acknowledging them as a legitimate couple in any fashion like we have been for the past 2023 years?

Exactly. Repentance should be the first intention

Yes. He is clearly distorting what the document says😢😢😢. However he also distorts Holy Scripture to his own destruction (should we criticize Scripture).

No this is why they write it so vaguely, this is purposely evil

“There are Forces right now in the Vatican that DON’T WANT THE TRUTH of The Gospel. They want to change it. They want to ignore it.” {Bishop Joseph Strickland, 2023}

Fr.MArtin and crew would say the bible is pro gay. Is the bible a bad tree?

The doc says its for the repentant - ''Indeed, the grace of God works in the lives of those who do not claim to be righteous but who acknowledge themselves humbly as sinners, like everyone else.'' and admit they need spiritual help ''recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help''. People have to read it with calm. Also the Cardinal said in a following interview: That they "may be purified of everything that does not respond to the Gospel". Its a blessing to purify the gay (or whatever disordered relation) away.

Wait until your 4 year old finds out that the priest blesses everyone at the end of mass! Or that The Pope and bishops often walk through crowds blessing people indiscriminately. Or that you can go to communion in a state of sin and receive a blessing. Or that if you go to Confession, and you don't repent, instead of absolving you the priest is supposed to give you a blessing instead. Even though you don't repent! Anyway, if your 4 year old is confused about something, take the opportunity to educate them.

@nealkriesterer - I’ve already had a lot of discussions with people on this topic - I’m probably going to stop discussing it soon, but someone asked what I’d do if one of my own 5 kids became an ‘irregular’ couple, would I also deny them a Blessing and prevent them the graces of growing closer to God? Here’s my response: Some of our closest friends have this EXACT issue - I’m not ignorant to the facts. The answer is yes, I’d encourage my child to seek out a blessing alone (not holding hands with the one they intend to keep sinning with). This applies to whether their ‘irregular’ relationship involves them fornicating as a heterosexual, or otherwise. I fought hard to keep my virginity and purity as a young man. Chastity is a fight for all, and I don’t condone illicitly using one’s sexuality- in ALL its forms. Go to confession and rid oneself of mortal sin with a strong resolve to sin no more… and receive a blessing in a way that is not raising scandal. I also wouldn’t go have an affair, and hold hands with my ‘new love’ and expect to stand before a priest hand in hand and receive a blessing in that circumstance. IT’S WRONG.

@@nealkriesterer also, my wife and I homeschool our kids… we’re well aware of the importance of properly educating our children in the faith and this IS the reason we are a homeschooling family.

That's all great, and everything you're saying lines up with the document released 2 days ago. It goes to great lengths to make sure the priest knows not to give out blessings in a way that may confuse people.

@@CCatholics Maybe you should stop to consider that priests spend more *years* in formation than you? Otherwise, nobody cares about your opinion, this is the Catholic Church, not a Protestant church.

I think part of the context of this is in relation to the German Bishops

wow, great statement

German bishops wanted to bless the relationship itself, this doc came to say the relation is sinful and can never get a blessing of condoning, they can only be blessed for healing. As the CArdinal said in an interview: That they "may be purified of everything that does not respond to the Gospel".

@@zenuno6936 Again, that was already known! So why release a document that supposedly states what was already in the Bible and in the catechism?

@@garystewart9211 Doctrines are always known yet Luther and company still choose to ignore them and on account of that the Church does a council of Trent to restate and clarify the Truths. Similarly this document is a restatement that sin cant be blessed because some people are trying to bless sin. If the german bishops persist, now they should be excommunicated. They dont really have any excuse now.

Good question! Yes, it can be done (though, granted, the great majority of priests eager to offer blessings to gay couples won't stick to the letter of the law and will instead commit a mortal sin in the process). It is acceptable for a priest to bless a gay couples if he includes the phrase: "And may the Lord grant you the grace to support one another in celibate chastity and the rejection of all worldly ideology." Their reaction will tell you whether or not they really are hoping to grow in Christian perfection (a stipulation presumed in FS) vs. seeking validation for their sinful lifestyle (which will usually be the case). --Counsel from a Dominican priest.

Interesting and excellent point. Let’s have Bishop Barron blessing a few adulterous and same-sex couples on livestream. As long as it’s non-liturgical and nobody is wearing a tuxedo or exchanging rings.

They cannot remain a couple period. It scandalizes the weak in faith who will view their relationship as ''normal.''

@@teresaa96289 that's why no one of prominence will perform one of these blessings. Because there is no way to do it without causing scandal

@@Kirin2022 I think one has to be wilfully blind to believe that is what FS is aiming at. Regardless of what it's aiming at, the result will be a free-for-all where different priests implement it in different, even contradictory ways. The text explicitly says it is not appropriate to legislate for everything, and that the pastoral wisdom of priests should be sufficient to determine how and in what circumstances these blessings should take place. Surely if there was a risk of committing mortal sin on the part of the priest, SURELY, SURELY, it would be the duty of the teaching Church to flag that up???

Amenn

I get saying hello to Mary but why say hello to Jesus too? Shouldn't you like pray to Him instead?

@Originalongrace that means, "Mary Pray for us, Christ is King" I understood it to be the response to the opening prayer.

Muller's recent document is seen as self-contradictory by some

Most people confused didnt even read the document, they saw the fake news headlines and called it a day.

And what is the truth?

I have read it, and I don’t think it needs white-washing. I can nitpick on some of the wording, but the truth is, it is uncompromising.

@@jimmu2008Absolutely

Just read the document

@@mr.fordnite1909that it explicitly allows for the blessings of same sex “couples” And that the insistence that by “couples” he really meant “individuals” is dishonest.

Yes, I pray for God to especially bless those who are furthest from him

These are the people who need it the most. And all human beings are worthy of a blessing. A homosexual union is not worthy of being blessed but those engaging in homosexual behavior, need that blessing actually.

@@milpormilunmillon if one falls into sin, there's the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Upon repentance, God forgives, the priest gives absolution in the name if the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. There's the blessing.

Yes. It's already happened.

Even people in abusive relationships have trouble leaving for a long time, even when they know it can not go on much longer. Usually they leave when they have strength and support. You are suggesting that the Church should refuse to give a blessing that may strengthen and support their resolve to reform until they have already left it or can already say honestly that it will stop immediately. We all have our crosses to bear but what is asked of same sex attracted people is actually quite a lot. The desire to couple up is very strong and goes beyond mere lust. Most ordinary lay people would find it very tough to remain chaste forever. I know it is all worth it in the end but leaving these people out in the cold without recognising how hard it is, I would say it is putting a stumbling block before someone who is already spiritually vulnerable.

These so-called “Novus Ordo conservative” priests really are a danger to souls. I’m unsubscribing from everyone of them.

Bye

why is love shocking?

Homophobics are a danger to the soul@@ryanhilliard1620

@pastorbri you mean genetic sexual attraction? Or polygamy? Or is it a poliamary or minor attracted love?

Or just read the document, it's perfectly clear. Your anger should be at Martin, not the document

Exactly!

Yet to see discipline against james martin

Martin is just playing dumb. The document says you have to avoid scandal, and also that its for the penitent. He proceeds to bless '''married''' impenitent gays and do it for the media(scandal).

You can take notice of all the hype. I can see why people are confused and hurt. I thought it was ambiguous listening to people who I thought should know. Than I read it for myself. A lot of the confusion left, I must admit that I have only read it once. All I ask please read for yourself, I believe it's fairly easy to understand

Hold fast to Our Lord’s Promise: The gates of hell will not PREVAIL!❤

Then This shows that papal supremacy is not the way to go when the Pope himself is straying from Tradition. You could always consider the Orthodox Church, the true continuation of the Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Chris, which is the last bulwark against secular and liberal attacks.

@@georgesaguelton5751my best friend is orthodox. I’ve got no issue really with orthodoxy however, to act like there’s no issues in orthodoxy is simply untrue. The Russian church leader has a lot of issues, Constantinople stirred up Ukrainian church issues prior to the war for political reasons, etc. At this point all of the orthodox churches aren’t even in communion with each other. It certainly isn’t perfect. Again, no issue with orthodoxy but it’s easy to feign being a bulwark in the West when most people have little knowledge of what is or isn’t happening (or has happened previously) in the East.

The cardinal said in an interview the blessing is to purify the gay away: that they 'may be purified of everything that does not respond to the Gospel and the will of God' Just like we can bless the sick for healing, we can bless the spiritually sick who want healing. Those who dont consider themselves penitent do not apply to the conditions of these blessings as the document states.

I got the impression he was trying to fill time with extra words to avoid the hard part. I’ve done the same thing writing papers about things I didn’t understand.

Agreed - he misses the main object of contention (being the usage of “couple”) with this declaration. A bit disappointing - I had a similar disappointment with the GodSplaining QA on this as well, they had a similar anemic understanding.

He is probably afraid of being canceled.

It's not meant to be balanced. It's meant to be true. The faith should be clear.

@@UncleKlausSchwab Exactly , Fr Pine was very clear in stating the true understanding by giving a balanced view of the matter. Thanks for clarifying that.

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples. 

​@@UncleKlausSchwabIn a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples. 

Joking about this is not funny and makes the situation worse. The Church remains and has remained THE ONLY Church for millennia despite the bad popes and situations it has dealt with. The Holy Spirit IS working in the Church DESPITE the evil that people within the Church do. DO NOT downplay that fact anymore; you are doing just that in this comment.

lol based

Sounds like you know better than he does…. Whenever there is a controversy in the church I’ll be sure to ask you for your opinion rather than the popes or the bishops. 😂

I thought you said “stay sprayed up” like with holy water, like when couples get blessed. Stay sprayed up my friends.

How dare you know your faith? We aren't to follow anyone into sin, even a bishop, but you're not allowed to know and maintain the faith to make that decision.

And what do the errors of Fr. James Martin have to do with the document that explicitly prohibits priests from doing precisely what he has done?

@@Psyrus88 Absolutely ZERO discipline from the Vatican.

There are plenty of people committing all kinds of sin who don't currently have any intention of stopping, who seek out a blessing, heterosexual sinners, liars, cheaters, thieves. Animals get blessed, inanimate objects get blessed, so what's your point?

@@jacobrodriguez7771Why are you seeking a blessing if you have no intention to stop sinning? Are you playing with God’s mercy?

@@Psyrus88because it seems obvious that the document is intended to give cover to him and others that will do the same. Will he be punished or sanctioned? We all know the answer is no. Why did the Church even bother with this document? The only people who are clamoring for “clarity” around blessing homosexuality are those who openly oppose the Churches teaching, like Fr Martin.

The prodigal son was REPENTANT.

Bible tells us God is not the author of confusion. This letter comes from Satan through the pope and Roman Curia.

The blessings are for "actual grace" not "sanctifying" grace. That is where your confusion is coming from. Read paragraphs 2000-2002 of the CCC. God bless.

The document specifically specifics that the couples must be begging God for help (FS 31), so they are explicitly on the path back to the Father.

@@jonathanstensberg Then why not tell them the times for Confession? Simce they are involved in a grave sin unto death and they already reveal this to the Priest by presenting themselves to him as such. The confession part should be a simple. The only reason I can think of to avoid confession at that point is because your really not ready to return to the Fsther just yet.

I’m convinced more than ever that these so-called “conservative” Novus Ordo priests really are a danger to souls. I’ve unsubscribed from every one of them.

Since the document states its a requirement to be supplicant, penitent, open to healing, and the Cardinal said in a following interview 'That they may be purified of everything that does not respond to the Gospel', meaning, purify the gay away, then only a pair that meets such conditions could get the blessings, but its quite rare that a pair repents and becomes penitent at the same time, so the majority of times the person wanting healing would be alone.

Same, but im fine with the pope, since I believe history and scripture demonstrates that the gates of hell wont overcome the church. Many converts to catholicism left the church after the pope made an ex chadrea statement about Mary, these converts never submitted their intellects to the pope. Cardinal Newman recorded this I think. Don't become Catholic unless you are willing to submit to the Roman Pontiff. I am honestly disappointed with many catholics who are misunderstanding the pope and who are causing fear.

I have yet to start RCIA but have been on the verge of doing so and i agree. I'm taking a step back and seeing what comes of this. Feels like we are in the end times, honestly.

Take heart from the resistance of bishops in Africa to this document. A bad Pope does not invalidate the Church, we've had far worse in history and have survived. That being said, it would be accurate to say that if the Church caves on the issue of blessing sin, it would demonstrate that this is not the Church which Jesus promised the gates of hell would not prevail against...

Because his interpretation doesn't fit yours?

Bro come on. Fr did a good job

No, because I’m a Dominican too. And he is educated much better than I. He did not use the tools given to him to speak Truth, meaning the Truth, the whole…and full… Truth is our motto. He seems to have neglected what he knows and should have said.

In a few years, someone will ask how the Catholic Church approved gay marriage??, someone will answer: it all started with the approval of the blessing for gay couples. 

@@signumcrucis71 the church will Never approve gay marriage. It will simply and can simply never happen.

Wut?

Please give context so people understand what this is, who wrote it, and Francis' relationship to him.

@@JenniferoftheSeaGoogle is your friend.

He is quoting people there.

You have his own defense here: . "Dear friends and friends, I sincerely appreciate the greetings and prayers of so many of you who have written to me through this medium, by mail and by different ways, in addition to the phone calls. I've been overwhelmed with so much sibling affection for almost three days now. . On the other hand, there are also groups against Francisco who are enraged, and who even use unethical means to harm me. For example, years ago they refer to a book of mine that no longer exists, which talked about the kiss. I was inspired by a phrase from the time of the Church Fathers who said incarnation was like a kiss from God to mankind.. . At that time I was very young, I was a priest, and I was trying to reach the young people. So I figured I'd write a catechis for them based on what the kiss means. I wrote this catechesis with the participation of a group of young people who gave me ideas, phrases, poems, etc. . Well, what these extreme groups do is say, "Look at the low quality this theologian has, look at the foolishness he wrote, look at the low standard he has." I've been humiliated with quotes from that book for years. . But a catechesis for a youth group is not a Theology book, there is a big difference in literary gender. A catechesis from a priest for the boyfriends of a youth group cannot be asked to be a Theology textbook. . And I am proud to have been that young priest who was busy reaching out to everyone using the most diverse languages. That's why when the Pope talks about my resume he mentions that I was dean of the Faculty of Theology, but at the same time he says that I was a priest of "Santa Teresita". Because for him it's important that a theologian gets in the mud and tries to use simple language that reaches everyone. . I also have high-level books, I wrote several articles in the magazine "Angelicum" or in the "Nouvelle Revue Theologique", for example, texts that perhaps few understand. But the work of a theologian is not limited to those texts. . Worse yet, as these attacks come from Catholics in America, and they don't know Spanish, they translate one of the poems in the book wrongly. Translate the word "witch" as "whore". But the book says "witch". You have no right to change my words. Seems like they have no ethics for this, and it's not the first time they've done it to me. . In the end, they will continue to say many things, and they will ally with anyone to attack Francisco for appointing me. But those who have known me closely know who I am. Thank you for the trust and love always. . I don't do this to defend myself. I have endured these moves many times and the storm will pass. But I make it clear to prevent any of you from feeling confused or suffering from these and other accusations, but above all I do so that you do not intend to harm Francis." .

The document says such relations are sinful.

In my parish our priest blesses irregular married couples when they are going to travel and they are blessed as a couple. What in your oppinion is wrong with blessing a husban and wife together? They know they cannot receive absolution because they are in this irregular marriage but that doesnt prevent them nor is God prevented from blessing them when they ask their priest for his blessing.

The cardinal said in a following interview 'That they may be purified of everything that does not respond to the Gospel', so its meant to bless the gay away. As to what could be good in such a sinful relation, just the philia love, that is, fellowship, brotherly love. The disordered Eros love would be purged away.

Can I bring tarots cards and a ouija board to be blessed, you know, out of accompaniment? No? But, it isn’t a sacramental blessing after all…

​@@ryanhilliard1620Maybe if you have your tarot cards and Ouija board blessed, you won't have to have them exorcised later.