[Today's Prayer] Pope Francis officially approves blessing for same-sex couples

Pope Francis has approved a blessing for "irregular" couples, including same-sex unions.

According to Britain's Christian Today (CT), the Vatican's religious doctrine issued a doctrinal declaration titled "Fiducia supplicans" on the 18th (local time), saying, "As long as it proceeds without any consciousness and does not give the impression of marriage, we also allow blessings to same-sex couples."

The Vatican, however, added that "it does not mean that it recognizes same-sex unions, and the Catholic Church's doctrine of marriage between men and women has not changed."

The Vatican said in the declaration, "It presented the possibility of blessing couples and same-sex couples in anomalous situations without officially confirming their status or changing the church's eternal teachings on marriage."

(Omitted)

"Expanding the scope of blessing is a real development and a clear and groundbreaking contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessing," said Victor Manuel Fernandez, the Minister of the Faith, who issued the declaration.

At the same time, he said, "This declaration does not modify the church's traditional doctrine of marriage because it does not allow worship rituals that can be confused with (sexual) marriage."

"This declaration fits exactly in this context in that we can understand the possibility of blessing for couples and same-sex couples in "irregular situations" without changing the church's long-standing teachings on marriage or proving their status of blessing," he said.

The announcement came a day after a blessing prayer for same-sex couples was allowed for the first time in an Anglican church service. When the Catholic Church's proclamation was announced, evangelical leaders voiced criticism and concern.

Pastor John Stevens, national director of the Association of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), pointed out, "[Vatican's position] is contradictory in terms, just like the Blessing Prayer introduced to the Anglican Church yesterday."

Pastor Stevens emphasized, "The only way for people in same-sex relationships to mature and grow faithful to the gospel is to repent of their sins and follow the Bible's order that sex is only appropriate in marriage between men and women."

Joshua Abbottoy, executive director of American Reformer, said, "The Pope's actions are read as a more painful web of justification and ambiguity that does not harm progressive sensibilities," adding, "We have not officially given up prison rights and have gone to the line of functional affirmation."

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Source: Christian Today

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Lord, we hear the news that Pope Francis has officially approved the blessing of an anomalous couple, including same-sex couples.

In an era of ambiguous and confusing standards about what is right and wrong and how far to embrace and reject it, we desire to see the Gospel be the only light of truth and we desire to see it shine brighter.

Satan tricks us into compromise with false keywords like inclusion and peace, but may God pour out his divine wisdom upon us that we may discern what is right and wrong in these last days.

Let all values and ideologies that are higher than God's laws and words, especially all deceit that turns humanism and obscenity into love, be shattered.

May we remember that Jesus became the grain of wheat that died for our sins, and may the Global Church rise up that will never abandon the word of the Lord and keep it with all its life.

When we shine the light of your truth with holiness, may the nations rise up as disciples of Jesus who will bear fruit that is worthy of repentance and testify to the Gospel of life.