The Holy See set out their decision in a lengthy note Monday, referring to homosexuality as a ‘choice’, suggesting that it was sinful and saying that it ‘could not be ordered as objective’ according to God’s plans; a belligerent attitude that will surely disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.
God “can and cannot bless sin”, the statement reads.
Pope Francis, who is regularly praised for his welcoming tone towards LGBTQ people inside and outside the church, approved the note.
The decision is a setback for Catholics who hoped the institution would modernize its approach to homosexuality. Dozens of countries, including many in Western Europe, have legalized same-sex marriage, and the church’s reluctance to embrace LGBTQ people has long had the potential to alienate it from younger followers.
“It is not permissible to bless relationships or partnerships, even stable ones, that involve sexual activities outside of marriage, such as same-sex unions,” the statement said.
The statement reads that gays and lesbians as individuals can receive a blessing if they live according to church doctrine.
“[This decision] does not exclude the blessings of individuals with homosexual tendencies who manifest the will to live faithfully to the revealed plans of God as suggested by the church doctrine. “
The blessing of same-sex unions, the Vatican says, will send a signal that the Catholic Church “recognizes a choice and a way of life that cannot be ordained as objective, to the revealed plans of God.”
The statement reads that “God himself never ceases to bless each of his pilgrim children in this world … but he does not sin and he cannot bless.”
In a commentary accompanying the statement, the Vatican stated that “the negative judgment on the blessing of unions of persons of the same sex does not imply a judgment on persons.”
The statement was issued as an ‘answer’ to questions from pastors and faithful on the question.