Rebel Catholics Continue to Push for Choice

Retuers news agency says that LGBTQ Catholics and allies are upset at a statement issued by the Vatican saying that unofficial blessings of samesex unions, being conducted by a group of rebel priests within the Catholic faith, are without validity. After many progressive pronouncements by the current Pope, Francis, there had been hope in some quarters that the Church would modify its teaching and practice. However, the rebel group, centering on Austrian priest Father Helmut Schueller has indicated that it will continue to act in accordance with their conscience, which believes that no couple should be denied the blessing of the Church for expressing their love. The group, called the Parish Priests Intiative, also advocates that Protestants can obtain communion and that Catholic priests should be able to marry, as for example, priests within the Church of England.