The blessing of rings and same sex
couples …
An opportunity for further fruitful
dialogue and outreach
Drachma
(Drachma LGBTI and Drachma Parents Group) looks with interest at the discussion
that has ensued over the issue of the blessing of the engagement of a gay
couple by Fr Mark Montebello OP and on the Archbishop’s reactions to the
matter.
Drachma
welcomes the positive and constructive approaches to this discussion and feels
that this can be a beautiful opportunity to foster dialogue and deeper
explorations into a more genuine Christian understanding of gay relationships
and their value for the Church and society.
The logic of division
In
a world that is often characterised by the divisive logic of us against them, of right against wrong, good against evil, and the ‘with us or
against us mentality’, it is very easy to fall into the temptation of
siding with one side or with the other. Yet, we feel that discussions such as
these require a genuine dialogue and exploration that allow us to look at
different perspectives, ultimately, with the aim of discerning truth and God’s
will. On the one hand, we understand and respect the Archbishop’s role as the
head of the local Church and in his duty to ensure that church rules are being
followed. On the other hand, we appreciate the gesture made by Fr Mark, a
person who has been close to the LGBTIQ community in Malta, and who, through
his gesture has invited us to delve into the possibility of more pastoral
initiatives with LGBTIQ persons.
Such
a discussion can only be fruitful if three dimensions are looked at with
greater openness: the theological
dimension, the lived experience
dimension and the pastoral dimension.
The theological dimension
There
is the Church’s own reflection and study on sexuality, marriage and morality
which is an important theological endeavour that in reality is already underway
in the ongoing Synod on the Family and in wider academic circles. One must
remember that theology is not about fixed and unchangeable moral codes and we
hope that a continual genuine discussion of these themes continues.
Theologians
such as James Alison, Jeanine Gramick, Richard Woods and Margaret Farley have
contributed and continue to contribute to this important discussion that can
help the Christian faithful and the Church respond to the new signs of the
times. It is also worth noting that a form of blessing of friendship between
persons of the same sex existed in the early and medieval Church and this could
be a possible way forward for further exploration.
As Drachma, we are committed to encouraging this
ongoing theological discussion in Malta and abroad, and we feel that only a
genuine exploration can create the right space for the Holy Spirit to continue
to enlighten the Church and the sensus
fidelium. These prospects for dialogue should not be conceived as a threat
but rather as an opportunity to deepen our theological understanding, in tandem with the signs of the times.
The lived experience dimension
A
second important dimension relates to the lived experience of LGBTIQ people who
provide the Church with the tangible experiences of committed Christian LGBTIQ
persons who strive to integrate sexuality with their spiritual experience. We
feel that the Church needs to continue to
listen and sensitise itself to these
experiences, and especially appreciate the positive qualities of gay people and
their relationships, a point also acknowledged for the first time in the first
working document issued by the Synod on the Family in October last year.
In this respect, the issue of the
blessing of gay couples also requires more consideration. While the current
ritual and liturgy is restricted to blessing man-woman couples, this should not
impede priests from encouraging genuine Christian LGBTIQ couples who wish God
to be part of their lived experience of committed self-giving love. Indeed, if
priests are allowed to bless animals, cars, houses and businesses, but are not
allowed to bless gay couples, what message comes across about the Church and
its refusal to the blessing of that love?
One appreciates that for the Church the blessing of houses and the blessing of gay relationships are two very different things, especially because the second type of blessing gives the message that the Church approves of same sex relationships at a time when the Catechism of the Church still states otherwise. Yet, this could also be an opportunity to start thinking a little ‘out of the box’ and allow more exploration into these realities.
The
situation that has developed as a result of Fr Mark’s gesture needs also to
take into account the initiative that
the gay couple itself took to voluntarily
seek a Catholic blessing for their love. This is extremely interesting and
provides us with a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the genuine yearning of
several gay committed Christians who want to include Christ in their lives and
in their relationships, which is very positive in itself and something to be
encouraged. This can also be an opportunity to properly discern what the Spirit
is telling us in these circumstances and to re-visit theological studies and
re-read them in the light of these developments.
The pastoral dimension
This sensitivity and respect toward gay people
should mirror Christ‘s own attitude in his mission as described in the Gospels.
Christ related personally to each individual in their own life situations and
did not allow rules to stop him from reaching out to others and embracing them.
One remembers Pope Francis’ invitation to the pastors in the first days of his
pontificate, when he asked them to be close to their flock and to have the feel
and the smell of their ‘sheep’ on their own skin. This should be at the heart
of the Church’s pastoral work with LGBTIQ persons. In this respect, we welcome
Mgr. Scicluna’s encouragement to Fr Mark and to other priests who have
courageously reached out to the LGBTIQ faithful.
Drachma
will be hosting James Alison: Catholic
theologian, priest and author
23-27
April 2015
Drachma fosters this spirit of
genuine dialogue and understanding and invites the Christian faithful, the
LGBTIQ community and the shepherds of the Church to continue this ongoing
discernment. Drachma has also incorporated the three dimensions mentioned above
and which are very much part of its vision and pastoral undertaking.
In this spirit, Drachma will be hosting the
Catholic theologian, priest and author James Alison from the 23 to the 27 April
2015. Alison, who is a respected thinker in modern Spiritual Theology, will be
delivering three public talks in Malta and Gozo and the public is cordially
invited to attend:
·
On Friday 24 April at the University,
Gateway Building Hall E at 18.00 hrs.
·
On Saturday 25 April at Manresa
Retreat House, Victoria Gozo at 19.00 hrs.
·
On Monday 27 April at Verdala Palace at
18.00 hrs.
Drachma hopes that through these encounters and
opportunities for dialogue and reflection, the LGBTIQ community, the Church and
the general public in Malta can continue to explore new grounds for more
inclusion and openness, as well as foster a culture where homophobia,
transphobia and all forms of xenophobia and racism would have no place.
Chris
Vella
Coordinator – Drachma LGBTI
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