Civil unions Archives

Cardinals O’Malley, Turkson defend Vatican same-sex blessing ban

Mar 20, 2021

Two Cardinals Wednesday defended a recent Vatican decree that restated the churches stance against the blessing of same-sex couples, by invoking the teachings of the church that the sacrament of marriage is between a man and a woman.

By John Lavenburg

Vatican letter on pope’s civil union remarks assures doctrine unchanged

Nov 2, 2020

A letter sent from the Vatican to bishops’ conferences around the world seeking to explain the Pope Francis’s recent remarks on civil unions has argued that the pope’s words were taken out of context and that his position does not constitute a change in Church teaching on the issue.

By Elise Ann Allen

Transcript shows pope’s distinction between gay marriage, civil unions

Oct 27, 2020

When Pope Francis said gay people have a right to be in a family and that gay couples needed some form of civil law to protect their rights, he was not saying that gay couples should have a right to adopt children.

By Cindy Wooden

Fiasco over pope’s cut civil union quote intensifies impact

Oct 24, 2020

The world premiere of a documentary on Pope Francis was supposed to have been a bright spot for a papacy locked down by a pandemic and besieged by a corruption scandal, recalling Francis’ glory days traveling the world to bless the oppressed.

By Nicole Winfield

Pope’s civil union words spark reactions around the globe

Oct 23, 2020

Across the globe, Pope Francis’s comments endorsing same-sex civil unions were received by some as encouragement for an advancing struggle and condemned by others as an earth-shaking departure from church doctrine.

By María Verza and Christopher Sherman

Bishops: Pope’s civil union remarks won’t change teaching on marriage

Oct 23, 2020

Pope Francis’s expression of openness to the idea of laws recognizing civil unions, including for gay couples, to protect their rights does not change church teaching on marriage as being between one woman and one man, said several U.S. bishops and dioceses.

By Dennis Sadowski

Mexico broadcaster: Pope’s civil union quote not broadcast

Oct 23, 2020

A Mexican television broadcaster confirmed Thursday that Pope Francis’ bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions were made during a May 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety.

By Nicole Winfield and Maria Verza

Bottom line on pope movie mystery: ‘If you don’t fix it, you bought it’

Oct 23, 2020

No matter what a leader actually says or does, if he or she allows an impression to be created and doesn’t publicly disown it, then it belongs to them.

By John L. Allen Jr.