A group of Catholic clergy in the UK have denounced Pope Francis' blessing for same-sex couples and issued a position paper blasting the decision.
In a declaration published on December 21, the group stated that any blessings of same-sex couples “are pastorally and practically inadmissible.”
The group, representing hundreds of clergy, rejected the possibility of issuing blessings for same-sex couples.
According to the British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy (BCCC), its text had been issued as a response to "widespread confusion over Catholic doctrine on same-sex unions and sexual behaviour outside of marriage."
Pope Francis gives blessing for same-sex couples in landmark rulingGettyThey added that their text restated the "traditional teaching of the Catholic Church (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) which remains unchanged and unchangeable."
The text highlighted the Catholic teaching which is based on Sacred Scripture, which states how “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”
It comes after Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò said the Vatican’s newly approved blessings for homosexual couples proves Pope Francis is "servant of Satan".
Viganò, a bishop of the Catholic Church who served as Apostolic Nuncio to the US for five years, attacked the pope in an Op-Ed in which he claimed his ruling over homosexual couples.
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Pope Francis shared the latest decision in a new document which insists that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.
The BCCC slammed the new ruling with its document saying: “We see no situation in which such a blessing of a couple could be properly and adequately distinguished from some level of approval.”
In addition, the text warned that any such blessing "would inevitably lead to scandal – to the individuals concerned – to those involved directly or indirectly in the blessing – or to the minister himself."
It added: "We believe that genuine charity always follows true doctrine and that such blessings would work against the legitimate care a priest owes to his flock.
The text highlighted the Catholic teaching which is based on Sacred Scripture, which states how 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered'
PA"With honest parresia and from our own experience as pastors we conclude that such blessings are pastorally and practically inadmissible."
The Vatican said the change should be a sign that “God welcomes all”, however the decision of whether to allow the blessings would be operated on a case-by-case basis.
“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said.
