Pope Francis on blessings: We bless people, not sin

Pope Francis has commented on the Vatican's much publicised decision to allow blessings for homosexual couples. According to a newspaper report, the Pope clarified to Roman clergy on Saturday that the blessings do not refer to the relationships themselves. "We bless people, not sin," he said according to "Il Messaggero". No LGBTQ organisations would be blessed either.

The English abbreviation LGBTQ primarily stands for non-heterosexual people who identify as lesbian, gay or queer. The newspaper refers to statements made by anonymous participants at the meeting. Francis drew a comparison: "When we bless an entrepreneur, we don't ask him whether he has stolen." Regarding the negative attitude of African bishops, he said: "The culture does not accept this."

On 18 December, the Vatican published the declaration "Fiducia supplicans" (imploring trust), which for the first time allows Catholic priests to bless unmarried, remarried and homosexual couples. It was penned by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, and was authorised by the Pope. According to this, such blessings are permitted as a pastoral means, as long as there is no confusion with a church wedding and they do not take place as part of a church service.

Persistent criticism even after further explanation

Following persistent criticism and rejection, particularly from African bishops, Fernandez published further explanations: According to this, the blessings should at best be spontaneous and at the request of the couple, whose intimate life the priest does not know; they should only last a few seconds.

Nevertheless, the African bishops continue to reject the blessing of homosexual couples by a large majority. This is the result of a statement issued on Thursday by the President of the Pan-African Bishops' Council SECAM, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo. At the same time, Ambongo emphasised that the bishops wanted to maintain unity with the Pope. In many African countries, homosexuals are socially ostracised and prosecuted. In some countries, they even face the death penalty.

Pope Francis is the bishop of the diocese of Rome. The meeting with the clergy of his diocese took place on Saturday morning in the Lateran Basilica in private. (KNA)