Opposing Vatican Decision, A Number Of Priests Vow To Bless Same -Sex Couples

JAKARTA - A group of Roman Catholic priests stated that the campaign of defiance against the Vatican's decision regarding same-sex couples by stating that they would continue to bless same-sex couples was against the Church's orders.

The Vatican said on Monday priests cannot bless same-sex unity and that such a blessing is invalid. This decision disappointed the gay Catholic group who hoped the Church was more "friendly" under Pope Francis.

In some countries, parishes and clergy have begun to bless same-sex union unions instead of marriage, and there are calls for bishops to de facto institutionalize such a blessing. This condition is a concern for the Vatican.

"We members of the Parish Priests Initiative are deeply shocked by the new Roman decision, which prohibits the blessing of same-sex couples. This is a recurrence of times we hope to resolve with Pope Francis", the Austria-based group said in a statement.

"We will, in solidarity with so many, not reject future loving couples who ask to celebrate God's blessings, which they experience every day, also in services", the statement continued.

The Pastor Parish initiative led by Pastor Helmut Schueller has long been a thorn in the Vatican side. The group wants Church regulations to be changed so that priests can marry and women can become priests.

The group will also break Church rules by giving communion to divorced Protestants and Catholics who remarry. Founded in 2006 by nine priests, the initiative says it now has about 350 members of the Church's official ranks and more than 3,000 lay supporters.

The Vatican in 2012 cracked down on Schueller, stripping him of the right to use the title monsignor and saying he was no longer the 'Chaplain of His Holiness' either.

Schueller, former deputy Archbishop of Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, has been given an honorary title in his capacity as head of the Austrian branch of the Catholic charity group Caritas.