Pope's Denial Of Gay Marriage A 'Mixed Blessing': Dignity Boston

BOSTON, MA — On an onboard press conference during his return flight from Hungary on Wednesday, Pope Francis once again denied LGBTQ+ marriage. Yet in a new twist to the story, he also publicly endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples.

The latest statement from Pope Francis, which the local LGBTQ+ Catholic group Dignity Boston is calling "a pretty big step from the Vatican" as well as "a mixed blessing," comes six months after he approved the Vatican's March decree to bar gay unions with the justification that God "does not and cannot bless sin."

The decree, which was issued as a response to the question of whether same-sex relationships could be blessed by Catholic priests, was met with conflicting opinions, with some Catholics arguing that the decision was not a surprise and others expressing disappointment. Last week's interview incited a similar response, garnering disapproval and confusion with a touch more hopefulness.

"Pope Francis has been clear since the beginning of his papacy that sacramental marriage is a line he cannot cross," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA and longtime member of Dignity Boston. "He seems to be trying to figure out how far he and other church leaders can go in terms of accompanying LGBTQ+ people as members of the church. He is really upholding the traditional definition of marriage as one man and one woman for life."

"This is not to condemn people who are like that, no, please, they are our brothers and sisters and we must accompany them," said said the pope in a translated version of last week's interview. "But marriage as a sacrament is clear, it is clear. That there are civil laws that provide if they want to associate, a law to have the health service, to have [...] among them, these things are done."

Although Duddy-Burke said the pope's continued denial of same-sex marriage is "frustrating" and the Vatican's teaching on marriage is a "narrow, incomplete understanding of what graced committed relationship and families look like, she also said his endorsement of legal status and protections for same-sex couples is a step in the right direction.

"This statement from the Pope is a significant break from past denials of any rights for our community," said Duddy-Burke. "It could have very positive ramifications in countries where there are few, if any, legal rights for LGBTQ+ people.”

DignityUSA has been calling for sacramental equality in the Catholic Church since 2015, adopting the following resolution that same year:

“DignityUSA and its members call on the leaders and members of our Roman Catholic Church to ensure that all of the sacraments of our church be administered regardless of the gender identity, sexual orientation, or relational status of the person(s) seeking the sacrament.”

So while Dignity Boston does not want to lose sight of the importance of the pope's latest position, Duddy-Burke said the organization will continue its fight until true equality is attained.

“Until LGBTQ+ people can access all the sacraments our church offers, including marriage, ordination, and baptism, we cannot truly be full members of the Catholic Church,” said Duddy-Burke. “So, while we acknowledge Pope Francis’ support for civil unions as a step forward, we still have a long march ahead in striving for that equality.”