On Tough Times and Terrible Popes
Why we as Catholics shouldn't despair
So this is where we’re at. Pope Francis just announced that bishops and priests may bless same-sex couples, as long as they only bless the people and not the union and don’t declare it’s some kind of marriage and don’t make it sound like a sacrament. In other words, if we can engage in some kind of Orwellian doublethink (where you hold two opposing ideas in your mind and believe both to be true) and be as confusing and vague about the whole issue as possible, we’ll be just fine.
It’s pretty awful because it means that all priests may now be required to bless same-sex couples. And no doubt, some of the more devious ones will arrange it so that there’ll be flowers and guests and rainbow flags and a big cake and fine garb for the occasion… in effect creating their own “stealth wedding.”
If you’re a traditional Catholic who actually listens to what the Bible has to say on these matters, you’re probably ready to pull your hair out.
This is where we need to remind ourselves that the Catholic Church has suffered bad popes throughout its history and somehow is still standing. As Jesus promised, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)