Pope Francis Supports Civil Unions Of LBGTQ Couples

 

Pope Francis

Photo Courtesy: gulfnews.com/

Pope Francis is the first Catholic pope to endorse same-sex civil unions. His support of this civil union came in interview given in the documentary film 'Francesco,' which premiered at the Rome Film Festival on October 21, 2020.

Pope Francis said,"Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered." 

On March 15, 2021, Vatican's doctrinal office, with Pope Francis' approval, officially decreed that gay or same-sex unions cannot be blessed in the Catholic Church because God 'can't bless sin.' Previously, in spite of Pope's voicing of support for same-sex civil unions, this stand of the Church is under criticism and denunciation from Catholic and non-Catholic observers and gay persons. 

To know the details, please read the following:

• Pope Francis voices support of civil unions for LGBTQ couples in new documentary (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis declares support for same-sex civil unions for the first time as Pope (Oct. 21. 2020)
• Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance (Oct. 21, 2020)
• In Shift for Church, Pope Francis Voices Support for Same-Sex Civil Unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis indicates support for same-sex civil unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope endorses civil union laws for same-sex couples (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same-sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope endorses same-sex civil unions for first time (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis endorses civil union laws for gay couples in new documentary (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Divided reactions in US as pope backs same-sex civil unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope may support same-sex unions, but that doesn't mean the Vatican does (Oct. 22, 2020)

• Vatican, with Pope Francis' approval, says priests cannot bless same-sex couples (March 15, 2021)
• Full Text: Vatican doctrinal office's response to a question on the blessing of same-sex unions (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican, Pope Francis say Catholic Church can't bless same-sex marriages because God 'can't bless sin' (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican excludes gay union blessing as 'God can't bless sin' (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican says priests can't bless gay couples. Why did pope Francis approve this decree? (March 15, 2021)
• The Pope Opened the Door to Gay Unions, the Vatican Just Slammed It Shut (March 15, 2021)
• LGBTQ Catholics worry that Pope Francis' decree on same-sex unions could drive more away the church (March 15, 2021)
• New Ways Ministry Calls Vatican's Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Couples as Impotent Decision (March 15, 2021)

The Quotation of the Week (November 22 - 28, 2020)

 

A quotation of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900: German philosopher, poet, and cultural critique) on 'unhappy marriage,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Relation Between Fewer Sex Partners and Happier Marriage

Image courtesy: Institute for Family Studies via www.theatlantic.com/

Nicholas Wolfinger, a sociologist at the University of Utah, finds that Americans who were involved in sex with their spouses are happier in their marriage. Those who had more sex partners reported being less happy. 

To know more, please read Fewer Sex Partners Means a Happier Marriage (Oct. 22, 2018)

British Prince Harry and American Actress Meghan Markle Marry

The wedding dresses of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle,
as pre-conceived by our artist on the eve of their marriage (May 18, 2018)

Artwork © Joachim Romeo D'Costa (Toronto)

With royal pomp and pageantry Britain's Prince Harry -- younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana -- married American actress Meghan Markle. Millions of viewers around the globe witnessed the rare ceremony over their TV sets. 

This wedding marks a historical footmark in the long tradition and heritage of the British royalty. Meghan Markle is the first biracial lady to wed a British royal. Not only that, a black American  Episcopalian bishop, Michael Curry, preached at the wedding ceremony and a black young cellist played a music there. This wedding represented a groundbreaking openness and inclusiveness that impressed and attracted the hearts of millions of people in the world. 

For more, please click on the following:

• Royal Wedding live: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry (May 19, 2018)
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry: how their wedding day unfolded (May 19, 2018)
• Royal Wedding 2018: Prince Harry and Meghan married at Windsor (May 19, 2018)
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry in trailblazing ceremony (May 19, 2018)

Pope Francis Gives Church Marriage to Civilly Married Flight Attendants In a Plane Over Chile

Pope Francis blesses flight-attendant couple (Carlos Ciuffardi and Paula Podest Ruiz) in an impromptu Catholic marriage on his papal flight over Chile

Photo courtesy: AFP/Getty Images (via Toronto Star)

Pope Francis, in a surprise move during his papal visit on January 18, gave a short church marriage to two civilly-married LATAM Airlines flight attendants at 36,000 feet over Chile. During the flight, when the pope came to learn of the civil marriage of Carlos Ciuffardi (41) and Paula Podest Ruiz (39) and their willingness to marry in a Catholic church, which did not come to be so far due to the destruction of their church in an earthquake, he blessed their marriage on the plane. The Guinness Book of World Records should mention this first record of a marriage by a pope on a flight.  

For details, kindly see the following:

• Love is in the air: Pope marries couple mid-flight during Chile visit (Jan. 18, 2018)
• Pope Francis marries couple on Chile flight (Jan. 18, 2018)
• In surprise, pope marries Chilean couple aboard papal flight (Jan. 18, 2018)
• Pope marries couple on plane over Chile (Jan. 18, 2018)
• Wing and a prayer: pope marries couple on plane over Chile (Jan. 18, 2018)
• Pope Francis marries couple in impromptu ceremony aboard papal plane (Jan. 18, 2018)
• Church conservatives question pope's airborne nuptials (Jan. 19, 2018)
• Pope Francis' airborne wedding of two flight attendants prompts conservative backlash (Jan. 19, 2018)
• Church conservatives question pope's airborne nuptials (Jan. 20, 2018)
• Pope Francis explains why he celebrated the airborne marriage of two flight attendants (Jan. 22, 2018)
• Pope defends airborne wedding, insisting the couple was ready (Jan. 22, 2018)

(Updated on January 23, 2018)

The Quotation of the Week (October 15 - 21, 2017)

A quotation of St. Jerome on 'marriage,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Image design by Adrian D'Costa

Pope Francis: Christians Should Apologize to Gays and Lesbians for Ill Treatment

Pope Francis in a press conference on June 26 in his plane while returning from Armenia to Rome

(Photo courtesy: CNA)

Pope Francis, after completing his Apostolic Voyage to Armenia on June 24 to 26, spoke on various topics and issues raised by accompanying journalists in his returning plane, reports News.va.

He spoke on the Armenian genocide, Church's relation with the gay men and women (homosexuals), Britain's exit vote for leaving the European Union, some religious and ecumenical issues, women deacons, and more.

Regarding the gay people, the pope remarked that the Church should apologize to them and ask forgiveness for offending them in different ways. Besides, he also said that the Church should ask forgiveness of other groups hurt by Christians, who do not live up to the Gospel.


For more on the Pope and the relationship of the Church with the gay people, please read the following:

• Pope Francis says the Church should apologize to Gays (June 26, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Church should accompany gays, not discriminate (June 26, 2016)
• Papal press conference touches a host of issues (June 27, 2016)
• Pope backs apology to gays, but says it's not just them (June 26, 2016)
• Full Text: Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Armenia (June 26, 2016)
• Pope: Christians should apologize to gay people (June 27, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Christians should apologise to gay people (June 26, 2015)
• Pope Francis: Church Should Apologize To Gays And Other Marginalized Groups (June 26, 2016)
• Pope Francis says Church should apologise to gays (June 27, 2016)
• Gay Catholic Groups Want the Vatican to Do More Than Apologize (June 27, 2016) 
• Pope Francis signals openness towards gay priests (July 20, 2013)
• Pope Francis: Who am I to judge gay people? (July 29, 2016)
• Same-sex marriage debate: Where does Pope Francis stand on same-sex marriage? (2013)
• Pope Francis [on] Gay Marriage (2013 - 2016)
• Pope Francis compares paedophile priests to 'sacrilegious cult' [Video] (July 7, 2014)
• Pope Francis criticizes gay marriage, backs ban on contraception (January 16, 2015)
• Pope Francis Statement That Changed the Church on LGBT Issues (July 28, 2015)
• Pope Francis offers hope to divorced Catholics, says no to gay marriage (April 8, 2016)
• Pope Francis' gay-friendly comments don't match the Catholic Church's actual policies (June 27, 2016)

Pope Francis Simplifies Catholic Marriage Annulment Process

A symbol of marriage annulment

Photo courtesy: cruxnow.com

Pope Francis, on September 8, introduced a new law allowing for quicker decisions and removing automatic appeals to speed up and simplify the Catholic marriage annulment process, reports the National Post.

The annulment process of the Church has been under criticism for a long time for being complicated, expensive and out of reach of many Catholics, especially in poor countries where dioceses don't have marriage tribunals. Many Catholics having the right reasons for getting annulments suffered a lot due to this long-drawn unhelpful process. 

As a result, there were long-lasting demands for reforms of this process. You may read about it here: Pope Francis should consider the church's outdated annulment process (January 13, 2014), and, The Annulment Dilemma: Revisiting a Complicated Process (February 16, 20015). 

For more detailed information on Pope Francis' reform, Catholic marriage and annulment, kindly read the following:


Pope Reforms Catholic Marriage Annulment Process:

• Pope Francis Announces Changes for Easier Marriage Annulments 
• Pope issues major marriage annulment reforms
• Pope speeds up, simplifies Catholic marriage and annulment process
• Pope reforms Catholic Church's marriage annulment process
• Revamped annulment process focuses on speed, role of local Bishops 
• Pope Francis streamlines process for granting annulments
• The Pope's annulment move?It's a good thing, Vatican official says 
• Pope Francis Reforms Annulment Process: 9 things to know and share 

What and How of Catholic Marriage and Annulment:

• Catholic Beliefs on Catholic Marriage
• Catholic Beliefs on Marital Spirituality
• The Sacrament of Matrimony (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church)
• Catholic Wedding Q & A 
• Church Teachings on Annulments
• Marriage Annulments
• Understanding Annulments
• Catholic Marriage and Annulments
• Divorce, Annulments, and Remarriage
• Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage Annulments
• Frequently Asked Questions on Annulments
• 12 Myths about Marriage Annulments in the Catholic Church (Archdiocese of Baltimore, USA)
• Myths about marriage annulments in the Catholic Church (Diocese of Salt Lake City, USA)
• What Every Respondent Needs to Know About the Annulment Process
• What are the necessary circumstances that qualify a marriage for annulment in the Catholic Church?
• Annulment Nation (The USA, with 6% of the world's Catholics, accounts for 60% of the Church's annulments)
  

Causes or Grounds for Catholic Marriage Annulment:

• No Catholic Divorce: Grounds and Obstacles to Annulments
• Grounds for Marriage Annulment in the Catholic Church (St. Mary's Church, Waco, USA)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Reasons/Grounds for Obtaining Marriage Annulment
• Reasons for Annulment
• Grounds for Annulment

The Quotation of the Week (August 16 - 22, 2015)

A quotation of Confucius on 'a job one loves,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (A village marriage band playing its tunes in Savar of Dhaka District, Bangladesh: January 8, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

Pope Francis Reaches Out to Divorced and Remarried Catholics

Pope Francis meets with newlywed couples in an audience in the Vatican

Photo courtesy: CNS photo via The Catholic Herald, London

Pope Francis, in his August 5 general audience in the Vatican, continued his catechesis [teaching] on the family, touching on the situation of the civilly divorced and remarried Catholics, reports the Vatican Radio.

"In these decades, in truth, the Church has been neither insensitive nor lazy. Thanks to the in-depth analysis performed by Pastors, led and guided by my Predecessors, the awareness has truly grown that it is necessary to have a fraternal and attentive welcome, in love and in truth, of the baptized who have established a new relationship of cohabitation after the failure of the marital sacrament; in fact, these persons are by no means excommunicated — they are not excommunicated! — and they should absolutely not be treated as such: they are still a part of the Church," he said. 

For further news on  and analysis of this topic, please visit the following:

• Pope: divorced and remarried people not excommunicated (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Francis on the divorced and civilly remarried (YouTube video) 
• Pope Francis: GENERAL AUDIENCE (Wednesday, 5 August, 2015) (w2.vatican.va) 
• Pope: Divorce and remarriage contradicts the sacrament, but Church always reaches out (Catholic News Agency)
• Pope: 'By No Means Excommunicated,' but Divorce and Remarriage Contradicts the Sacrament (National Catholic Register)
• Pope Francis: The Divorced and Remarried Are Not Excommunicated (aleteia.org)
• Pope: Divorced and Remarried Are Not Excommunicated, Should be Welcomed (America magazine) 
• Divorced and remarried Catholics are not 'excommunicated,' says Pope (The Catholic Herald)
• Francis: Divorced and remarried are not by any means excommunicated (National Catholic Reporter)
• Pope: "No closed doors" to divorced and remarried, they are part of the life of the Church (AsiaNews) 
• Pope Francis Urges Priests to Welcome Remarried Catholics (The New York Times)
  
• Pope Francis: Church Should Welcome Divorced, Remarried Catholics (TIME magazine)
• Pope Francis Says Remarried Divorced Catholics Still in Church (The Bloomberg News)
  
• Pope Francis Says Church must welcome divorced, remarried Catholics (Religion News Service)
• Pope Francis's embracing of divorced Catholics still needs to overcome divine law (CBC News)
  
• Stop shunning divorced Catholics, Pope Francis tells his flock (The Telegraph)
  
•  Pope Francis on the Divorced and Remarried: 10 Things to Know and Share (National Catholic Register)

Valentine's Day: Stories of Some Interfaith Couples in Ontario

L-R: Sahar (Muslim) + Alvaro (Catholic)

Today is the Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air all over.

On this day, it would be both interesting and enlightening to see that there are an increasing number of couples engaging in interfaith relationships.

Colin Boyd Shafer, a teacher-cum-documentary photographer, in his website, called Interlove explores ‘how people with differing beliefs come together in love.”

This website in next few months will profile 100 couples across Ontario with their individual stories. A number of stories, already published, are a fascinating read. These tell who they are, and how and why they fell for each other. 

L-R: Amanda (Atheist having New Darwinism spectrum) + Craig (Afrocentric Spirituality)

Photos courtesy: interlove.com/

Some of the couples mentioned there, in black-and-white photos and texts, come from following religious backgrounds: Jewish + Catholic, Muslim + Catholic, liberal and non-traditional Muslim + Greek Orthodox, Catholic + Agnostic, Jew-tile (Jew and gentile) + humanistic Jew, Atheist but culturally Jew + Aboriginal Anishnawbe Spiritality, and Catholic + Hindu.

You may visit the website, Interlove, to see the photos of these mixed faith couples and read their stories in detail.

More couples of interfaith backgrounds in Ontario can also visit this website and provide their details for inclusion in it.

Those who are photophiles (lovers of photographs) and want to see more photo projects of this same photographer, may visit his other website, called Colin Boyd Shafer.

The Practice of 'Girls' Marriage to the Quran' Is Still Prevalent in Pakistan

The provinces of Sind and the Punjab have certain areas where this type of marriage is still continuing

According to several websites, a traditional practice of giving one’s daughter or close female relatives in marriage to the Quran is still persistent in parts of the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan.

The Syeds (also written as Saiids or Sayyids) – a high-caste Muslims – who claim descent from Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam in Saudi Arabia and consider themselves superior to other Muslims, still continue this un-Islamic practice without impunity. These Muslims are rich and own large tracts of land in those two provinces of Pakistan. 

This exploitative custom is also known locally as haq bakhish, haq-baksh-wai or haq bakhashwain. In English, this is termed as ‘Quran brides’ or ‘brides of the Quran.’

When suitable husbands are not found according to the liking of the fathers or male guardians, they force the girls to commit the Quran, the holy book of Islam, to memory and hang parts of the Quranic verses around their waist with a cord before they are given in marriage to the holy book. 

This is done not because of the males’ love for religion but for their selfish ends: that is, preventing their lands to be subdivided by way of giving dowry to the outsider husbands of their girls. The undivided lands continue to give them profits.

These ‘Quran brides’ then serve as life-long slaves in their own families working as waitresses and child minders as well as doing all kinds of household chores.

This practice not only goes against the teaching of Islam but also is criminal in nature under Pakistan’s laws. If convicted, the perpetrators are liable to get a seven-year imprisonment. Those who commit this crime is so influential and powerful that none dares complain against them or punish them.

According to the Asharq Al Awsat, an international Arabic newspaper, there were about 10,000 Quran brides in Pakistan in 2007.

The honour killing of girls is another form of exploitation of and violence against women in Pakistan.

For further information, you may read the following:

• The life of slavery of Pakistani women who are forced to marry the Quran
• The lives of Pakistan's 'brides of the Quran'
•  Marriage with the Quran