Many Catholic leaders, politicians, academics and ordinary people alike are part of an anti-religious-liberty movement, oftentimes claiming without irony to do so in the name of "religious freedom."
The Vatican's recent decree banning Catholic priests from blessing same-sex marriages has stoked fear among the LGBT community in countries across Africa, where there is widespread discrimination and laws criminalizing same-sex activity.
Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has expressed unhappiness with the Vatican's recent decree banning Catholic priests from blessing same-sex couples, in what appears to be the first example of a cardinal openly disagreeing with the measure.
Responding to a March 15 Vatican decree banning priests from blessing gay unions on the premise that God "cannot bless sin," LGBTQ Catholic couples and advocates talked to NCR about their reality.
Numerous Catholic bishops from around the world have publicly denounced the Vatican's recent statement forbidding Church blessings for same-sex couples, calling the move "unacceptable," hurtful and clumsy.
We say: The pope's decision to approve the March 15 decree from the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith instructing Catholic priests not to offer blessings for same-sex couples seems strikingly out of character.
Since the Catholic Church forbids same-sex marriage as a sacrament, some Catholics, and even some bishops, have discussed having a blessing for such couples as an alternative. But the Vatican said no.
Explainer: A Vatican decree saying priests can't bless same-sex unions is another tricky move in Francis' tightrope walk of upholding church teaching while also trying to extend a warmer welcome to LGBTQ persons.
