Blessing for same-sex couples

THE blessing of same-sex couples and other irregular situations such as prostitution is not against the Catholics doctrine, says Bishop Rolando Santos.
Santos is the deputy bishop of Commission on Doctrine, Marriage and Law at CBC PNGSI who affirmed yesterday in Port Moresby that the blessing proposed by Fiducia Supplicans does not encourage the clergy to endorse sin.
“There is nothing in it that goes against the traditional teachings of the church and the document is not an endorsement of same-sex marriage which the church has always regarded as unlawful and sinful,” he said.
“What the document proposes is the possibility of blessing same-sex couples and those in irregular situations without endorsing sin.
“It was meant to reveal the face of the church as a sacrament of God’s infinite and unconditional love in the world.”
Santos said the adverse reaction from the public about the declaration issued last December was open to confusion, however, if people exercise prudence, discernment and trust in the Holy Father and trust those who ask for blessing as well as trust in the mercy and compassion of God, many of these problems could be resolved.
Santos explained that this sort of blessing should not be done within the liturgy context and it should be clear that what the priest blesses are couples (men and women) and not the disordered, sinful relationship; sinners and not sin itself.
He said the church does not condemn sinners, however, sin is always sin, so we should hate sin, but love the sinners.
“While the blessing proposed by Fiducia Supplicans carries its own risks and dangers, yet blessing have a most wonderful place in the economy of salvation as when God blessed Abraham and Jesus bless the children,” Santos said.
“God blesses and always wanted to bless all peoples, including adulterers, prostitutes and sinners in general. A blessing is a prayer of love, mercy and compassion.”