LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A Chron article published Sunday directly criticizes the historic Saint Paul Catholic Church in Lexington for giving a blessing to a same-sex couple.
Church officials say most of the information in this article is untrue.
“You took everything out of context. The Vatican never had anything to say to us in St. Paul. Not to mention knocking us down. Second, they have no idea what the context of this photo was. All they saw was a priest extending his hands in blessing to a same-sex couple in front of a Christmas tree,” Stan “JR” Zerkowski, director of LGBTQ+ ministry at St. Paul Catholic Church, said.
The St. Paul Church Facebook post reads: “History was made on Sunday at the historic Saint Paul Catholic Church. This same-sex couple, who had been civilly married for 22 years, asked for a blessing, which Father Richard freely granted in accordance with Fiducia Supplicans guidelines.”
Zerkowski addressed many points in the Chron article and said parishioners never condemned the blessing.
He says the declaration “Fiducia supplicans” has a clear outline so that same-sex blessings are not confused with the sacrament of holy matrimony. Some examples he gave include that the blessing is not allowed to take place in front of the altar, priests are not allowed to wear full vestments, and people are not allowed to wear wedding attire.
“We will continue to bless. We will continue to follow in harmony with the Church and what we should do according to the documents coming from Rome.” Zerkowski said: “We are in harmony with the Church, not in contradiction to the Church, so we imagine, always to do the same thing again. “Show people that they are a blessing and give them a blessing.”
A clarification was also made about the statement, but Zerkowski says it doesn't change what they did at their church. The clarification has no relation or connection to their church.
During his time at the LGBT Ministry, he says they faced resistance, but now they have come a long way.
He says allowing priests to bless same-sex couples is a big step in the church.
“Most of all, I thought, 'Someone is listening.' These people are good people. I am one of those people. We are good people. We are worthy of the blessing,” Zerkowski said.
In fact, Zerkowski heard from the Vatican back in October, when the pope wrote back and sent prayers.
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