Catholic dissenters and LGBTQ activists on Tuesday hosted an online Pride Month “blessing” in a public challenge to a Catholic teaching and a Vatican statement reiterating that same-sex unions cannot be blessed. Speakers made comments that rejected Catholic teaching on sexuality, marriage and family, talking about “God’s triumph of queer love” or declaring that pride is not sin but “salvation” and “a promise of liberation for all.”

Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., of Lexington, made an appearance, delivering a simple, general blessing inviting the attendees to a deeper relationship with God and to know his love.

“We know that there are many, many Catholics who love, support, and, yes, bless their LGBTQ+ family members, friends, and neighbors,” Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of event organizer Dignity USA, said June 1 ahead of the event. 

“We wanted to create a way for them to make their love visible,” Duddy-Burke said. “Many of these people felt disheartened and disappointed by the Vatican statement and appreciated the chance to send a different message.”

On March 15 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a response to the query “does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?”  The congregation answered, “negative,” outlining its reasoning in an explanatory note and accompanying commentary.

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