People who act shocked that a priest would bless a gay couple but have no problem with him blessing a crooked businessman are hypocrites, Pope Francis said.
“The most serious sins are those that are disguised with a more ‘angelic’ appearance. No one is scandalised if I give a blessing to an entrepreneur who perhaps exploits people, which is a very serious sin. Whereas they are scandalised if I give it to a homosexual-this is hypocrisy,” he told the Italian magazine Credere.
The interview was scheduled for publication on 8th February, but Vatican News reported on some of its content the day before when the magazine issued a press release about the interview.
Pope Francis has been asked repeatedly about “Fiducia Supplicans” (“Supplicating Trust”) on “the pastoral meaning of blessings,” which was published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on 18th December and was approved by the pope. It allows for priests and other ministers to offer informal, non-liturgical blessings to gay couples and couples in “irregular” marriage situations as long as it is clear they are not blessing the couple’s union.
“We all have to respect each other. Everyone,” the pope told Credere. “The heart of the document is welcome.”
Picture: CNS photo/Lola Gomez