On the heels of the Vatican’s guidance from Pope Francis, who is now permitting priests to bless same-sex couples, local Roman Catholic Priest Fr David Khan clarified the church’s stance, asserting that while it blesses individuals in various relationships, it does not endorse sin.
Delivering the Christmas sermon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in San Fernando on Christmas morning, Fr Khan said blessings fall on both the righteous and those perceived as sinners.
He told the congregation that when individuals seek blessings, the pertinent question revolves around their intent.
“If someone comes and asks for a blessing, all you have to do is ask one question—What are you seeking?” Fr Khan said.
He said acknowledging one’s sins precedes seeking divine blessing.
“Are you not saying you are a sinner when you go to confession?” he asked, underlining that seeking a blessing signifies a commitment to doing God’s will.
Fr Khan clarified the church’s stance, asserting that while it blesses individuals in various relationships, it does not endorse sin.
“The church is not teaching that we are going to bless sin. We could never bless sin,” he reiterated, emphasising the distinction between blessing individuals and validating their choices.
Highlighting an analogy, Fr Khan illustrated that while blessings may fall upon everyone, whether in marriages or relationships, the church doesn’t formally recognise the impact of these blessings might not take root.
“If I say we are going to bless marriages for male and female and people of the same gender stand up, the church is taught that the blessing of a marriage is for male and female,” he clarified.
Speaking about the boundaries of blessings, he said someone who prays to God to escape being caught in a robbery will not be blessed.
Similarly, he said blessing someone engaged in sinful acts seeking divine intervention to evade consequences will not be done.
“A wrong can never be right. But people deserve a blessing. It is our duty to follow our master (Jesus Christ) in doing good,” he noted, stressing the importance of compassion and avoiding judgement.