Pope Francis' approval of blessings for samesex couples in midDecember continues to be well received in the Vatican. In an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, the pope said he was not afraid of a split in the Catholic Church after the decision sparked anger in conservative circles.
Francisco minimized the criticism, saying that the possibility of a split in the church was only discussed in small groups. “We must leave them reassured and move forward… and look to the future,” the Pope said in the interview published this Monday (29), without specifying which groups he was referring to.
The approval given by the church has sparked debate as bishops in some countries refused to allow their priests to implement blessings for LGBTQIA+ couples. Resistance is greatest in African countries, where samesex sexual activity can be punishable by prison or even the death penalty in some regions.
Francisco said in the interview that he was confident critics would ultimately understand the measure's goals. He then added that Catholics on the African continent are “a separate case.” “For them, homosexuality is something 'bad' from a cultural perspective. They don’t tolerate them,” he said.
“[Os críticos] You ask me how this is possible [a bênção a casas do mesmo sexo]. I answer: The gospel is intended to sanctify everyone. Of course, as long as there is good will. […] We are all sinners: So why make a list of sinners who can enter church and another list of sinners who cannot enter church? That’s not the gospel,” he said.
Since the statement released on December 18, the Vatican has been at pains to emphasize that the blessings do not constitute an “endorsement” or “absolution” of homosexual acts which the church considers sins and that they should not be considered equivalent to the sacrament of marriage for heterosexual couples.
But even a clarification from the Vatican's teaching office released earlier this month was not enough to assuage criticism from bishops in Africa. Church leaders on the mainland issued a letter saying the decision had “caused unrest in the minds of many” and could not be enforced due to the cultural context in the region.
The statement approving the blessing, known by its Latin title Fiducia Supplicans (supplicant trust), was issued by the Vatican's religious affairs department and approved by the pope. While the pope's openness to the practice was welcomed by many, conservatives said it could shake the foundations of the faith and even lead to a split in the church.