No. No. No.
A priest cannot bless an action that is sinful.
A Catholic cannot endorse, enable, support or cooperate with a sin.
The Pope, on this topic, is contradicting clear Catholic teaching and practice.
Consider recent events:
1. The bishops in Germany and other parts of Europe are encouraging the blessing of homosexual unions.
2. On Feb. 22, 2021, the Office for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith issued, with the full approval of Pope Francis, this authoritative statement: "...it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual relations outside of marriage (i.e. the indissoluble union of a man and woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex. The presence in such relationships of positive elements, which are in themselves to be valued and appreciated, cannot justify these relationships and render them legitimate objects of an ecclesial blessing, since the positive elements exist within the context of a union not ordered to the Creator's plan."
3. The German bishops defied this reprimand and continued the blessings. The Vatican did nothing to enforce the ruling.
4. On August 21, 2023, in the lead up to the Synod on Synodality, five senior Cardinals, one from each of the continents, requested a clarification from Pope Francis (in what is called a "dubium" or "doubt): "God created mankind in his own image...and hence, the Apostle Paul teaches that denying sexual difference is the consequence of denying the Creator...We ask: can the Church deviate from this 'principle" considering it, in contrast to what was taught in Veritatis Splendor, as a mere ideal, and accept as a 'possible good' objectively sinful situations, such as unions with persons of the same sex, without departing from the revealed doctrine?"
5. The next day, August 22, 2023, Pope Francis responded. He stated clearly that marriage itself can only happen between a man and a woman. He continues: "However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate our decisions and attitudes. The defense of objective truth is not the only expression of charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot be judges who only deny reject and exclude....Therefore, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better, a trust in a Father who can help us live better...On the other hand, although there are situations that are not morally acceptable from an objective point of view, the same pastoral charity requires us not to simply treat as "sinners" other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors affecting subjective accountability." He concludes by saying that prudential decisions in specific circumstances are not to be codified in Church norms or rituals.
6. The five Dubia Cardinals, clearly unsatisfied with the Pope's response, reissued the question in a form to be answered either "yes" or "no:' "Is it possible that in some circumstances a pastor could bless unions between homosexual persons, thus suggesting that homosexual behavior as such would not be contrary to God's law and the person's journey toward God? Does the teaching upheld by the universal ordinary magisterium, that every sexual act outside of marriage, and in particular homosexual acts, constitutes an objectively grave sin against God's law, regardless of the circumstances in which it takes place and the intention with which it is carried out, continue to be valid?"
7. The Pope has not responded to the second question.
However, the Pope's answer is clear: Yes. Under favorable circumstances and intentions a blessing can be given to a same-sex union. His answer is a clear contradiction of the statement he issued just 18 months earlier. That answer was a clear No. This is extraordinary: The Vatican is saying No; and a little later the Pope says Yes.
This is a hard binary: the answer is Yes or No.
Suddenly, we are living in a split, schismatic Church. Some bishops and priests bless these unions; some do not. This is a profound division. For a pope to clearly contradict our received teaching and practice and belief is unprecedented. In loyalty to the Catholic faith I have received, I must renounce the Pope's teaching.
The Catholic moral universe is very clear and simple: some actions are sinful, inherently evil in themselves, and cannot be done in any circumstances or whatever the intentions. Many of these involve innocent life and sexuality. Under no circumstances can we assist in killing of the innocent: nuclear war, infanticide, abortion. Under no circumstances, regardless of intentions, can we engage in sex outside of marriage open to life. No exceptions.
Blessing homosexual union is like blessing a pornography career or habit, an adulterous affair, an unjust invasion of a country, a mafia hit, a prostitution business. It cannot be done. It is a contradiction.
Our Church is in crisis. We need to pray for the Pope, our cardinals, bishops, priests, and all of us. We know that Christ is with us. Our confidence is in Him. Jesus, I trust in you.
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