By Oyinlola Awonuga Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
In the early hours of Monday the Vatican issued a combative statement that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions which resorted into a massive outrage online.
The statement approved by Pope Francis threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.
Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See while referring to same-sex unions as a “choice,” described them as sinful and said they “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.
“The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit,” the Vatican’s top doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote in the statement.
God does not and cannot bless sin,” the statement added.
Pope Francis, who has frequently been praised for his welcoming tone towards LGBTQ people both within and outside the Church, approved the note.
The decision is a setback for Catholics who had hoped the institution would modernize its approach to homosexuality.
Dozens of countries, include many in western Europe, have legalized same-sex marriages, and the Church’s reticence to embrace LGBTQ people has long held the potential to alienate it from younger followers.
“It is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex,” the statement said
The decree however sparked mixed reactions on the micro blogging platform, Twitter.
Read some of the reactions:
Call me homophobic for standing with the catholic church on this LGBTQ issue not that i gaf who u bang but you guys are doing the most to make us straight men look like shit for not f£&king with u all.@Eziafa_
It just sucks because here I was thinking the Catholic Church simply LOVED gays. Addicted to the stuff!.@MattRoggersTho
Dear African warriors, just like catholic can’t bless same sex marriage, say no to Gay and Lesbianism.
Even LGBTQ community members are products of able men and women unions.@DE_COMMUNICATOR
My friend who volunteered with the Trevor Project, a suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth, said that the lines always light up after the Roman Catholic Church issues statements like today’s. This is is the tragedy of today’s statement. It won’t be bishops or the pope who suffer.@JasonSteidl
To every young person who has been hurt by this, I’m so sorry. You matter and are exactly as you are meant to be. You are beautiful and loved. Be who you are, the closer you get to yourself the more peace you will find. Hey, Catholic Church, fuck you! https://t.co/TbJWkR2fdC@ZOIEPALMER
Hello I am Catholic & I am Queer. I love Jesus& I the theology of liberation. I believe in God who frees prisoners, knows no class or nation& demands mercy not sacrifice. I continue to stand w/ my siblings as we pursue gospel justice in our Church and the whole word. https://t.co/crv5sEE8gp@Kydesro
