'A step forward' or 'contradictory'? Catholic reactions to approval of blessings for LGBT couples
Jamie Manson
Jamie Manson, president of the liberal advocacy group Catholics for Choice," praised "Fiducia Supplicans" as "stunning and historic" in a statement. "As a lesbian Catholic activist who has been working for LGBTQIA+ equality in the church for more than two decades calling for definitive doctrinal change — I never thought I'd see this day."
At the same time, Manson concluded that "There is still a long way to go before the church fully affirms the inherent, God-given dignity and equality of LGBTQIA+ Catholics, our marriages, and our families."
She predicted that "given the homophobic and transphobic climate created by many bishops in the United States, the average same-sex couple likely still won't feel comfortable presenting themselves to their local bishop or priest to ask for a blessing."
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"Today's declaration reveals that this is not a Pope Francis problem, but a middle-management problem — one caused by decades of hardened institutional stigma and outspoken anti-LGBTQIA+ advocacy from a hierarchy increasingly mired in culture wars, in defiance of a pope who is moving the church in an opposite, more inclusive direction," Manson remarked. She credited "Fiducia Supplicans" to the "tireless activism by LGBTQIA+ activists and from church leaders' deep listening to our stories."
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
