Pope Francis’ landmark ruling approving that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-s#x couples has sparked controversy on social media.
His new ruling has sparked mixed reactions among Zimbabweans who feel the move is against Christianity and God. The move has caused an uproar on social media platforms as people are not exactly complacent about the decision.
According to the New York Times, Pope Francis has formally authorized priests to bless same-s#x couples, emphasizing a significant shift in Vatican policy. The new document clarifies that individuals seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t undergo intense moral scrutiny to receive it.
The Vatican’s doctrine office released this document, expanding on Francis’ earlier communication with conservative cardinals. While Francis initially hinted at the possibility of blessings under specific conditions without conflating them with the sacrament of marriage, the updated guideline emphasizes that blessing a same-s#x couple isn’t tantamount to a marriage sacrament or an endorsement of the relationship. It explicitly states that such blessings should not be part of ceremonies for civil or same-s#x unions nor resemble wedding rituals in attire, gestures, or spoken words.
This recent ruling builds upon the pope’s initial openness last October to blessing same-s#x couples. It signals a departure from the Vatican’s 2021 ruling, which prohibited any form of blessings, citing that God “cannot bless sin.”
The Vatican’s previous stance, rooted in the belief that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, had precluded the blessing of same-s#x couples.
Taking to social media, Zimbabweans criticized Pope Francis for approving the blessing of same-s#x couples. Zimbos questioned why Pope Francis endorsed the blessing of same-s#x couples when it is clearly written as wrong in the Bible. However, some Zimbabweans came out to defend Pope Francis stating that he was respecting freedom of choice.
Here are some of the reactions;
@tanyaradzwa_dee;
I’m was born a Catholic, but i always thought Roma iscam, everything is just wrong
@starstudded91:
Catholics aren’t Christians so…we don’t pray to “mother” Mary nor do we confess to a priest, that’s why Jesus died on the cross. They got that wrong so no surprise there also got g@y “marriage” wrong.
@softaz_but_heavii;
Don’t misinterpret the message, the Pope urged congregants to pray for g@ys and lesbians to be saved from their sins just we are all sinners not to bless same s#x marriages
@cal_capone23:
He doesn’t represent us as Christians hameno havo ma catholics isusu ma Christians tiribhoo n they shouldn’t include us in their demonic bs
@dbean
Pope Francis is respecting the freedom of choice “freewill” to and for the faithful. I one chooses to be gay, that’s their choice, it’s clearly not mine and yours to judge, only judgement is for The Lord. Every Catholic and believer deserves the blessing of the body of Christ, which is the Church, and again, no judgment. Secondly, as a Catholic, if you can’t receive the sacrament, you’re encouraged to receive a blessing. Same s#x couples will not be receiving the sacrament of matrimony.
@Chiqqotearts
The Devil is working overtime 😢
@tack_ly:
😂😂😂😂Maihwiiii zvangu this is why most single s#x schools are Catholic ndaizvizaa mhani kuti they low-key support zvisinabasaa 😭😭
Source iHarare
