On Dec. 18, Pope Francis made a historic declaration which allows priests to bless individuals who are in same-sex relationships. This blessing can’t be a part of regular church rituals or liturgies and can’t contain any clothing, gestures, or words associated with a wedding.
Father Joe Richards is the priest for St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids and the St. Mary Church in Two Inlets.
He said he has had no requests for blessings from same-sex couples.
“The new declaration from the Holy Father just came out this week,” he said. “We cannot bless a union, but we can bless the individuals. We can’t do anything to make it look like we’re blessing a marriage. Individual blessings are to show God’s mercy on them. It’s not about blessing the union or approving of same-sex unions or anything like that. That the church is very clear on.”
He said anyone who has questions about the document, “Fiducia Supplicans,” can read it on the Vatican website.
“I’m going to inform my parishioners that they need to read the document before they make comments on it,” he said. “A lot of what’s coming out in the media is incorrect. Depending on what side of the aisle they’re on is how they are going to spin the story. Oftentimes, we read threads that come up on the internet and some of them are OK and some of them are not what the Holy Father said.”
Father Richards said the document came out in response to questions by church officials.
“This document is addressing these questions and trying to clarify things,” he said.
He said any local parishioners here with questions about the declaration are welcome to come and talk with him.
“So far, I haven’t heard any comments from people in our parish,” he said.
He explained that a blessing is not a sacrament.
“It’s a blessing for the individual,” he said. “All of us are sinners and we all need God’s blessing. The blessing is to help the people come to repentance and conversion of heart.”
He said if a same-sex couple were to come to him, he would give each of them an individual blessing.
“The teaching on marriage comes from Jesus,” he said. “We don’t have the authority to change anything that Jesus has established. The church will never change its position that marriage is between one man and one woman. We cannot contradict what God has established.”
Lorie Skarpness has lived in the Park Rapids area since 1997 and has been writing for the Park Rapids Enterprise since 2017. She enjoys writing features about the people and wildlife who call the north woods home.
