Pope Francis: Suggesting Gay Marriage

 By Judith Agada __

Pope Francis has appeared to make and suggests a meaningful way to enable the blessing of same-sex couples by officials of the Church, a practice that is not recognised by the Holy See but doctrinated in many powerful countries like Germany, Belgium and US.

The Pope who took the oath of office 2013, he has worked with the vision to reform the doctrines of the Universal Church. In his attempt, he strived to make it less hierarchical and more attentive to the needs of the church populace even when he has encountered strong opposition within his circle.

The Catholic head made his intension known to the public Monday, in his bid that the Church only recognised marriage between a man and a woman, the pope stated that, "we cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude", in recommendation of true "pastoral prudence".

From the reports gathered from Channels TV, "the Pope opened a major congress on the Catholic Church's future vowing to open doors to "everyone" despite tensions with conservatives on issues from the LGBTQ faithful to the treatment of divorcees".

"The general assembly of the Synod of Bishops gathers in the wake of an unprecedented two-year global consultation that will also address topics such as women deacons and priestly celibacy. It will take place over four weeks in Rome.

Advertisement

The pope stressed welcome in his opening address, seeking to make the Church of 1.3 billion faithful more tolerant amid changing social norms and demographics, including the growth of Christianity outside the West.

The Church is here for you! The Church of open doors is for everyone, everyone, everyone, said the 86-year-old at a large mass in St Peter’s Square.

"In such a complex time as ours, new cultural and pastoral challenges emerge that call for a warm and kindly inner attitude so that we can encounter each other without fear," he said.

Warning against "a rigid Church", the Argentine pontiff said he hoped the forum would avoid "human strategies, political calculations or ideological battles", it was reported.

However, he said the intention was not to carry out "a parliamentary meeting or a plan of reformation. No. We are here to walk together with the gaze of Jesus".

The Pope Francis celebrated a mass at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican, marking the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops,  on October 4, 2023.

At the event before the procession, it was reported that about five well respected Cardinals questioned Pope Francis to reaffirm the Catholic doctrine on the issue of gay couples and same sex marriage including the ordination of Rev Sisters to perform full rituals in the Church.

As it is now, a pace is set in the the Catholic Church, that nuns and laywomen will participate in the General Assembly consultations and be able to vote like male counterpart.

An inner circle of the Pope who withheld his name, informed observer of the Holy See, said the participation of the laywomen would make the synodal process more effective.

He noted, "within the bishops, there is an ecclesiastical culture. With the laity, that won't work anymore.

He further notes that, "they won't be satisfied with nice words, there will be a demand for the procedure, the will to change, and efficiency.

In this sense, Francis is pushing the boundaries, which is why many are afraid"