The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement Monday claiming that the Catholic church cannot bless same-sex unions since God “cannot bless sin.”
Pope Francis approved the decree, which was a two-page explanation in seven different languages. Although the Vatican has said it welcomes gay people and believes LGBTQ+ should be treated with respect, gay sex has been called “intrinsically disordered” as they claim God views sex as a way of creating life. Pope Francis previously called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples in 2020. While Pope Francis had never come out publicly in favour of civil unions as pope, he previously endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages while serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires.
