ROME. Pope Francis has reaffirmed his controversial decision to permit priests to bless same-sex couples, acknowledging the resistance he has faced and emphasizing that “solitude is a price you have to pay” for making challenging choices.
In a Sunday interview on the Italian talk show “Che Tempo Che Fa,” Francis reiterated his stance, declaring that “the Lord blesses everyone.” However, he acknowledged the notable opposition his decision has triggered, particularly in Africa, where bishops have collectively refused to implement the Vatican declaration. Individual bishops in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and other regions have also expressed their dissent.
The Vatican’s declaration on December 18 restated the traditional teaching of the church, affirming that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman. Despite this, it allowed priests to offer spontaneous, non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples seeking God’s grace, as long as such blessings are not confused with the formal rites of a wedding.
In his first comments since the controversy erupted, Pope Francis addressed the resistance his decision encountered. He attributed the opposition to bishops’ lack of understanding of the issue and their unwillingness to engage in a dialogue about it.
When asked if he felt alone in his decision, Francis responded, “You take a decision and solitude is a price you have to pay.”
“Sometimes decisions are not accepted,” he added. “But in most cases, when you don’t accept a decision, it’s because you don’t understand.”
Francis warned of the danger when individuals who do not comprehend a decision refuse to participate in a “brotherly discussion,” opting instead to harden their hearts, resist, and “make ugly conclusions.”
“This has happened with these last decisions about blessing everyone,” Francis explained. “The Lord blesses everyone.”
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
