Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican: Catholic Church Will Not Recognize Same-Sex Marriages

Vatican illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/John Salatas)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to the Holy See of the Vatican, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, emphasized that the Catholic Church continues to uphold the doctrine of Catholic marriage. Therefore, the Catholic Church will not recognize same-sex marriages.

Even though the priest blesses them, it is not a blessing as a sign or validation of the marriage. In other words, the blessing of same-sex couples is not the same as the sacrament of marriage, but is an ordinary blessing as given to all people.

This was conveyed by Ambassador Trias Kuncahyono when asked for his response to the news which stated that the Vatican had given permission to bless same-sex couples.

“Catholic doctrine states that marriage is between a man and a woman forever. "Catholic doctrine regarding marriage is eternal, will not change, from past to present and in the future," said Trias, in his statement to VOI.ID, Thursday 21 December.

According to Trias Kuncahyono, the principle of Catholic marriage as written in the document "Fiducia Supplicans" or Requesting Faith, is that Catholic marriage is "an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a man and a woman who is naturally open to producing offspring".

This belief, Trias said, is based on timeless Catholic doctrine on marriage. So, only in this context does sexual intercourse find its natural, appropriate and fully human meaning. "The church's doctrine on this matter remains firm," said Trias.

In other words, said Trias, the official teachings of the Catholic Church from time immemorial regarding marriage will not change. Legal marriage in the Catholic Church still only occurs between a man and a woman and is monogamous, for the sake of continuing offspring and living out God's love that pours out through family life.

"From the provisions of these teachings, it is clear that same-sex marriage is certainly not a principle of Catholic marriage," said Trias while accompanying the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who took part in the Zayed Award judging activity, in Rome, Italy.

It is said that Pope Francis will certainly maintain the doctrine of eternal marriage, so it will be impossible for Pope Francis, as the highest leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, to approve same-sex marriage.

Regarding LGBT groups, said Trias, their existence cannot be denied, because they do exist. “How do we respond to them. Of course that is the question," he said.

“If asked, does Pope Francis allow priests to bless them? Blessings are gifts or free gifts from God to bring goodness to human life. "That is the mission of the church, to provide goodness in human life, to bring peace," he added.

Therefore, the Catholic Church blesses all mankind, without exception. LGBT people also receive blessings as humans just like everyone else. "They are humans too," said Trias.

Quoting a statement from Pope Francis, said Trias, the blessing was not a sign of the Catholic Church's recognition of same-sex marriage. In other words, blessing a same-sex couple is not the same as the sacrament of marriage, a formal ceremony.

According to him, the statement also emphasized that this was not a blessing in relation to marriage. Blessings may not be given during or in connection with civil or same-sex marriage ceremonies, or when there is “any dress, gesture or words appropriate for marriage.”

"If you ask whether it is true that the church blesses LGBT marriages, the answer goes back to the basic principles, namely the basic principles of Catholic marriage. So of course the Catholic Church does not bless same-sex marriages. However, are they blessed, yes. I say everyone is blessed. Blessed as ordinary human beings , like other people," explained Trias.