Maltese Jesuit priest disappointed with Vatican same-sex union statement

After the Vatican issued a statement, approved by Pope Francis, that it cannot bless same-sex unions, Jesuit Priest Fr Josef Mario Briffa took to social media to express his disappointment and disagreement with the decision. He pointed out how he wonders what keeps LGBTQI+ individuals within the Church but is not surprised as to why people leave. He also states that this is due to on matters such as LGBTIQ+, the Church has ‘little (not to say nothing) to offer’.

On days like these, I wonder what keeps anyone who identifies at LGBTQ+ within the Church, not those who leave.**…

Posted by Josef Mario Briffa on Monday, 15 March 2021

Despite Pope Francis having blessed LGBTIQ+ members as individuals, he agreed with the statement that unions within the church cannot. Briffa stated how as a celibate, he understands the choice as in a ‘spiritual sense, but only as part of a vocation, never as an imposition.’ He ends the statement by encouraging his LGBTIQ+ plus friends to protest, not by leaving, but to stay and remain a prophetic voice.

#MaltaDaily