Popular American preacher, Franklin Graham, has criticized Pope Francis over his decision to approve the blessing of same-sex couples by Catholic priests, after following certain measures.
Graham, who is the son of the late revered cleric, Billy Graham, and the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, said God did not approve same-sex marriage.
The preacher wrote on Facebook during the week, "So-called 'blessings' from religious leaders won't save you from the judgment of God!
"Pope Francis has now approved Catholic priests' blessing' same-sex couples. But none of us, including the Pope, has the right to 'bless' what God calls sin. 'Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…' (Isaiah 5:20).
"The good news is that right now God will forgive sin, but we have to come to Him His way, on His terms — by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the Bible says, 'The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed' (Isaiah 1:28)."
Graham’s post came days after the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a declaration titled ‘Fiducia Supplicans,’ which gives measures for the blessing of same sex-couples.
The declaration read in part, "It is precisely in this context that one can understand the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church's perennial teaching on marriage.
"When people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. Those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection."
It further stated that for same-sex couples, "a blessing may be imparted that not only has an ascending value but also involves the invocation of a blessing that descends from God upon those who — recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help — do not claim a legitimation of their own status."
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