In a sensational move, Pope Francis has explicitly allowed the blessing of homosexual couples. A pioneer in the field of such blessings is very happy about this: the Viennese cathedral priest Toni Faber. “It was only a matter of time,” he explains in the interview with “Krone”.
In the long run, the Catholic Church cannot abide by outdated prohibitions that go against majority opinion. In the spring of 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith officially stated in a letter that the church does not have the authority to bless same-sex couples. A survey found that 64 percent of Austrians did not understand the Vatican’s position on the exclusion of homosexuals from the church community.
“Not with me”
Even Cardinal Schönborn was “not happy” with the decision, which Pope Francis approved at the time. He did not change Toni Faber’s unambiguous attitude. “If Mother Church demands that I send home everyone who loves homosexuals, then I have to say: not with me,” Faber explained at the time.
It’s strange that as a priest you can bless everything, including animals, but not remarried divorcees or homosexuals. “These people, in their devoted love and responsibility for one another, have the right to have their humble request to be part of the community of the Church fulfilled.”
According to Austria’s most prominent priest, he was never harmed. “I’ve been doing it this way for twenty years. I never got banned. The only request was not to make a big deal out of it.” That too is now history. “If I bless gay couples today, it will no longer be a problem if they share it on Instagram.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
