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In February, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) highly criticized vote of senior figures in the Church of England backed. They had proposed that prayers of blessing for the same-sex couples should be allowed to be conducted.

They also emphasized that same-sex couple could be allowed to go to an Anglican church after being legally married. They would also be allowed to conduct services including prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and also seek God’s blessings. 

However, Pope Francis had suggested that he would be open to bless same-sex couples in a catholic church. A group of cardinals requested him to clarify on the issue. He responded that any request for a blessing should be treated with “pastoral charity.”

“We cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude,” Pope emphasized.

Even though the church still considers same-sex relationships “objectively sinful” And wouldn’t recognize same-sex marriages. This request was sent to me weeks before the church set to get underway at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, Bishops in different countries including Belgium and Germany have finally begun blessing same-sex couples. Although the position of Church authorities remained unclear. In a Catholic Church, a blessing is a prayer delivered by a minister. 

In 2021, Vatican’s doctrinal office ruled against allowing same-sex marriages. 

Pope responded to the latest request that the church understood marriage to be an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman. Also, should avoid any type or rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction.”

Pope added that, "Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage." 

"Decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm."  However, Pope criticized that request for blessings should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

"Canon law should not and cannot cover everything," he said. He also added that the Church should always approach its peoples' relationships with "kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement" also "when a blessing is requested, it’s expressing a plea to God for help, and a supplication to live better."