Pope Decries Church’s <br />‘Rigid Ideological Positions’ , After Same-Sex Blessing Ruling.<br />On Dec. 18, Pope Francis released <br />a document stating that priests are <br />now allowed to bless same-sex couples.<br />Although he did reiterate that the church still views marriage as being between a man and a woman.<br />the pontiff said that anyone seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't have to endure <br />"an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.<br />On Dec. 21, the pope urged Vatican staff <br />to avoid "rigid ideological positions" that <br />keep them from understanding the reality <br />of the world we live in, AP reports. .<br />Let us remain vigilant against rigid <br />ideological positions that often, <br />under the guise of good intentions, separate us from reality and <br />prevent us from moving forward, Pope Francis, via statement.<br />We are called instead to set <br />out and journey, like the Magi, <br />following the light that always desires <br />to lead us on, at times along <br />unexplored paths and new roads, Pope Francis, via statement.<br />According to Francis, preconceived prejudices will only keep the church from spreading its message.<br />It takes courage to journey, <br />to move forward. Sixty years after <br />the council, we are still debating <br />the division between progressives <br />and conservatives. , Pope Francis, via statement.<br />This isn’t difference. The real difference <br />is between lovers and those who <br />have lost that initial passion, Pope Francis, via statement
