Pope’s comments on same sex relationships pleases LGBT leaders

Pope Francis used a letter to cardinals to suggest blessings could be studied, if they were not confused with sacramental marriage.

Writing in response to five cardinals who asked him to affirm church teaching on sexuality, he reiterated that matrimony was a union between a man and a woman.

But he said ‘pastoral charity’ required patience and understanding, and priests could not become judges ‘who only deny, reject and exclude’.

‘Because when a benediction is requested, it is expressing a request for help from God, a plea to be able to live better, a trust in a father who can help us to live better.’

LGBT campaigner and former government adviser Jayne Ozanne, who grew up in Guernsey, said this was extraordinary news.

‘It underlines the new pastoral approach Pope Francis has urged towards LGBT people,’ she said.

‘It’s rather ironic that the Pope has got to this point ahead of many in the Church of England, particularly those who are doing all they can to block progress.

‘I agree with Pope Francis that God’s love will always trump a legalistic approach to Christianity.’

The Church of England controversially voted to allow blessings of same-sex marriages in a meeting of the General Synod in February this year. The Church Of Scotland and the Methodist church already welcome same-sex marriage.

Guernsey charity Liberate’s CEO, Ellie Jones, welcomed any move that might

help make LGBT people of faith feel less excluded.

‘One would assume that if the Catholic Church is looking to authorise blessing same-sex unions, then that will lead to a change in teachings, and for the Catholic Church to stop referring to being gay, bi or pansexual as being sinful,’ said Mx Jones.

‘Their previous reasoning was based on "God can’t bless a sin", so it would be a major shift.

‘From our perspective it can only be a good thing.’

Mx Jones said it would be interesting to see what happens at Synod at the Vatican this week when LGBT Catholics are on the agenda.

The Catholic Church in Guernsey was approached for comment, but had not replied by the time the paper went to press.