Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich has cautioned against hastiness in the debate over women’s ordination in the Catholic Church. In an interview with kath.ch, the Luxembourg archbishop stressed “If you attack too much, you won’t achieve much. You have to be cautious, take one step at a time, and then you might be able to go very Read more
A same-sex blessing has resulted in a Chicago Catholic priest apologising for violating Church guidelines. Filmed and then posted on social media, the way he carried out the same-sex blessing was a “very poor decision” Father Joseph Williams says. In the apology – issued by the Vincentians’ Western Province – Williams says he is “deeply Read more
The Coptic Orthodox Church has suspended its two-decade-long doctrinal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church over the Vatican’s approval of same-sex blessings. The Patriarchate of Alexandria and Coptic officials have labelled same-sex blessings as heresy. The Holy Synod of the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church, based in Egypt, announced the suspension on March 7. “After consulting Read more
Gilbert Lubega sat in a white plastic chair at his home in Wakiso, a suburb of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. He was contemplating two photos of a young gay female couple kissing and another one of a male gay couple kissing at their wedding ceremony. “These images make me think the world is coming to an Read more
German Cardinal Gerhard Müller (pictured) says attempts to clarify the recent Vatican declaration Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust) are confusing Catholics. The declaration allows Catholic priests to bless couples – including same-sex couples – who according to church teaching may not marry. The Church needs to return “to the clarity of the word of God” rather Read more
Gilbert Lubega sat in a white plastic chair at his home in Wakiso, a suburb of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, contemplating two photos of a young gay female couple kissing and another one of a male gay couple kissing at their wedding ceremony. “These images make me think the world is coming to an end,” he Read more
The Church of England General Synod has agreed to run a pilot programme offering stand-alone services for blessing same-sex couples. The motion came from the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally. Last week, the Church’s General Synod voted to move ahead with implementing special prayers of thanks and dedication for gay couples. The vote followed the Read more
Blessings for same-sex couples and divorced and remarried couples in Germany’s Speyer diocese are now officially ‘allowed’. In his letter to priests, deacons and lay pastoral workers last week, Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann officially sanctioned the blessings. The same-sex blessings the Speyer diocese gave in the Speyer churches could also be given to remarried couples, he Read more
Pope Francis has hinted he could be open to blessing same-sex couples provided certain conditions are met. The blessings must not be confused with the wedding ceremonies of heterosexuals, and decisions as to whether to bless these couples should be decided on a case-by-case basis he said. Francis shared his views on several hot theological Read more
The Flemish bishops’ decision to bless same-sex unions is reasonable, says Bishop Johan Bonny. Bonny and the other Flemish bishops of Belgium introduced a blessing for same-sex couples in September 2022. They also published a handout outlining suggested liturgy and prayers. The bishops’ based their decision to go ahead with the same sex blessings on Read more