Describing them as sinful, the Vatican said on Monday that same-sex unions “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plan in a statement approved by Pope Francis. 

Saying that they will not bless same-sex unions, the Catholic Church referred to it as a “choice”, potentially widening the gap between the LGBTQ community and the church.  

The decision was explained in a long note by the Church, reported CNN disappointing millions of individuals who identify as lesbian and gay. 

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The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said in the statement, “The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit. It is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex.”  

Adding it said that God “does not and cannot bless sin.”

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Pope Francis who approved the lengthy statement has been witnessed to support the LGBTQ community in the past. 

In an interview last year for a documentary, Pope said, “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it. What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.” 

While it seemed that Pope Francis was advocating for civil union laws, the Vatican was quick to clarify that this did not indicate a change in the doctrine. 

As per the Vatican, blessing same-sex unions would indicate that the Catholic Church approves “a choice and a way of life that cannot be recognized as objectively ordered to the revealed plans of God.”

In the commentary provided with the statement, the Church insisted that “the negative judgment on the blessing of unions of persons of the same sex does not imply a judgment on persons.”