The Catholic Church now allows the blessings of same-sex couples. An LGBTQ Catholic in Queens says this is a step towards equal rights in the Catholic Church.
Gay rights activist Brendan Fay says he is feeling extra grateful this holiday season because of the recent news.
“For me, it was like Christmas came early. It was like a Christmas gift, not from under the tree, but literally from Pope Francis himself,” Fay said.
Fay is referring to a landmark ruling by Pope Francis. The Vatican says that from now on, Catholic priests around the world are allowed to bless same-sex couples.
That message of inclusion is one that Fay — who is Catholic — has been seeking for years. Fay has been married to his husband for 20 years and believes this decision is long overdue.
“[This move] is a shift in attitude and outreach and practice, and I hope that every parish picks this up, and that same-sex couples nonetheless know, they can now go to their parish and know that the will be extended a blessing,” Fay said.
Meredith Augustin with the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan says she is glad to see the Catholic Church changing with the times.
“It’s about time. It’s such a difficult topic. You have progressives, conservatives, but you know what? Love is love,” Augustin said. “I think baby steps are better than no steps at all, so I’m just thrilled that the pope has really taken a forward motion with all of this.”
Augustin, the liaison to the church’s LGBT Ministry, hopes that other churches across the city will be as welcoming to LGBTQ Catholics as her church is.
“New York City is always on the forefront of fashion and music, so why should this be any different?” Augustin said.
The pope’s declaration, however, does not amend the church’s doctrine on marriage, which it recognizes as being between a man and a woman.
Fay’s husband, Thomas Moulton, believes this recent change doesn’t go far enough to recognize a marriage like his.
“It’s my God, and his spirit moves through us, just as much as it moves through any other person in the Catholic tradition or any faith,” Moulton said.
Meanwhile, Fay says he will continue his work as an LGBTQ activist.
