RCC cardinal accuses opponents of gay blessings of animus toward LGBTQs

Cardinal Robert McElroy. Photo: National Catholic Reporter

Catholic Cardinal Robert McElroy from San Diego stated that the implementation of the Vatican document on blessings for for people in irregular and same-sex unions is part of a "great move toward decentralization" in the Catholic Church," according to the National Catholic Reporter.

However, such decentralization, according to McElroy, must not "obscure" the "rigorous obligation" of the Church everywhere to protect "LGBT persons". He blamed animus toward LGBTQ people “among far too many” for opposition to the document and for its critics in relation to blessings for those in same-sex unions.

Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego was obviously referring to "Fiducia Supplicans" ("Supplicating Trust") on "the pastoral meaning of blessings". The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's December 2023 document outlines the possibility of informal, non-liturgical blessings for Catholics in irregular or same-sex relationships.

According to him, "bishops of various parts of the world have made rapidly divergent decisions about the acceptability of such blessings in their countries, based substantially on cultural and pastoral factors, as well as neocolonialism."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Russian Catholics pledged not to bless gay marriages.

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