Obviously, I am not Catholic, and so it would be unfair and unkind for me to judge the politics of the Catholic faith.
However, I do believe I'm justified in describing Pope Francis' announcement Thursday that Catholic priests now may bless same-sex couples as a step toward a fuller biblical revelation of God's goal for humanity and all of creation.
However, before we go too far down this road, and those deeply vested in this debate regardless of their politics want to put me on trial, I say just please hear me out.
For those who defend the Catholic church's stance that "biblical" marriage can only consist of one man and one woman because they faithfully believe that is what scripture tells you, I won't ever be able to change your belief on that. And while my faith sees that as a deeply hurtful stance, I accept that we see and understand the scriptures differently. And so, I say, let's allow room for a bit of disagreement among faithful people in the bigger interests of the Body of Christ, eh?
And for those who have been deeply harmed by 2,000 years' worth of the Catholic church's intractable policies regarding the human interests of love, living and the inalienable divine rights as a beloved child of God, I see you AND I empathize with your pain and suffering. I can't imagine what it feels like to know your church doesn't recognize your very humanness. So, yes, I can see why you may feel the Pope's decree on Thursday doesn't go far enough to fully recognize you as the unique image of God you are.
I don't know if I can successfully thread my line of thought between both of those recognitions, but here it goes ...
As described in a beautiful email newsletter from Father Richard Rohr -- a Franciscan friar, nonetheless -- and the Center for Action and Contemplation a couple weeks ago, I believe that God does have a design for all of humanity, even when we as limited and finite humans cannot see it. And that plan is drawing all of us who make up the vast tapestry of humanity deeper toward "intimacy, belonging, and union," as the newsletter stated.
And thus I see anything that helps along the Creator's goal toward union as a positive development. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the Pope's announcement -- while radically shifting the church's policy to opening up the Catholic church to be more inclusive, and simultaneously at the same time maintaining its strict (again, in my opinion) ban on gay marriage -- still can be considered a move toward greater union with God and humanity.
This pastor would agree with those who believe that the Pope's acquiesce on the blessings of gay couples' marriages falls short of full recognition of those couples' love, commitment and holy bonding. So I can understand where many in the LGBTQ+ community feel let down that the Catholic church sees their relationships as inferior to what the church considers an ideal marriage.
I additionally am heartbroken that the Pope would add such hurtful caveats that the blessings can't be tied to any Catholic celebrations or other religious services, and should not be offered at the same time as a couple's civil union, so as the blessing cannot be construed as condoning the gay couple's marriage. Again, I can't imagine the hurt this may cause a faithful person who wants to love their partner and love their church too.
But the Pope's insistence that couples seeking such blessings should not be denied also brings me hope that this shift in policy may provide a glimmer of light to faithful Catholic same-sex couples who would find such a blessing spiritually fulfilling. Additionally, I am also encouraged by the Pope writing in his decree that, "For, those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection."
Reactions to the Pope's announcement vary across the spectrum, of course. Some feel that this is continuing the crumbling of the Catholic church, and some LGBTQ+ advocates inside the church welcome the new policy as a progressive step forward. As with all monumental shifts in religious doctrine, the debate will continue to rage on.
I choose, however, to see the announcement as part of the Creator's divine design to keep inching humanity closer to full and holy union with each other, as well as with God. The policy may be seen as heretical to some, and not humane enough to others, but I am trusting that Holy Spirit's hand has been instrumental in the Pope's decision. ... Because I believe that it's the work of the Holy Spirit to patiently and without retreat help guide us toward "The clear goal and direction of biblical revelation (which) is toward full, mutual indwelling," as the Rohr newsletter wrote.
Most importantly, as Rohr writes: "History isn’t heading toward Armageddon or a 'Left Behind' conclusion. Jesus says, in any number of places, it will be a great wedding banquet."
Now, this march towards becoming one with each other, and one with God too, will be messy because, after all, it involves imperfect humans. ... But I choose to believe the Pope's policy announcement, while falling short of the goal of complete union among humanity and Creator, does bring us one step closer to Father Rohr's described "great wedding banquet." ... Amen.
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