In a recent and deeply troubling development within the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican’s decision to permit priests to bless same-sex unions has manifested in a tangible, yet profoundly misguided, gesture. This move, a dramatic departure from traditional Christian teachings on marriage and sexual ethics, was exemplified in the “blessing” of a same-sex couple by James Martin, as reported by Outreach, a homosexual Catholic publication operated by the controversial LGBTQ-affirming priest, James Martin.

Earlier this week, the Vatican, in a decision that surprised literally no one who understands the ramifications of abandoning biblical authority, announced that priests could offer “blessings” to same-sex couples. This announcement represents not just a drift away from traditional biblical teachings but a fundamental alteration in the Church’s understanding of marriage, sexuality, and the very nature of even the Roman Catholic understanding of “blessings” themselves. The Vatican’s decision, an attempt to align with contemporary cultural norms, once again blatantly disregarded the clear scriptural teachings that define marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman.

The recent article from Outreach highlights the case of Jason Steidl Jack and his homosexual lover, Damian Steidl Jack, who received such a blessing from “Father” James Martin after being “married” in a progressive mainline Protestant Church two years ago. This perversion of grace, while celebrated by many on the left as a step towards inclusivity and acceptance, is a defiant rejection of the biblical definition of marriage and the purpose of divine blessings. According to Scripture, blessings are meant to affirm and consecrate actions and relationships that align with God’s will as revealed in His Word. To “bless” or give approval to something in any other context is to misuse and misrepresent their intended purpose.

“On the subway to his Manhattan residence,” Steidl writes, “I read Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob wrestling with a messenger of God. In this tale, Jacob’s struggle lasted through the night. As a gay Catholic, I’ve done my share of wrestling with God and the church. Like Jacob, I carry injuries from the encounter, but I continue the fight.”

“I won’t let go of God until I receive a blessing.”

The symbolism of this blessing, and the Vatican’s approval of such acts, cannot be overstated. The Vatican has sent a clear—yet patently false—message to these homosexual couples that if they continue to relentlessly oppose God, He will eventually cave. It is a clear indication of the Church’s abandonment of God’s Word as authoritative to a human-centered approach. This capitulation to social pressures is a dangerous trajectory, leading away from the truth of the Gospel and towards a relativistic interpretation of God’s will for humankind that undermines the authority of God’s Word.

Furthermore, the article’s portrayal of the couple’s journey and desire for a blessing within the Church encapsulates the growing tension between traditional Christian doctrine and the modern cultural narrative and the endorsement of relationships that contradict biblical teachings is a serious error. It represents a compromise that not only distorts the Christian understanding of marriage but also muddles the Church’s witness to the world. In fact, these people should just do us all a favor and stop calling themselves Christians—why hijack Christianity to advance their selfish desires?

In essence, the Vatican’s decision and the subsequent blessing of a same-sex couple by a Catholic priest mark a significant moment of departure for the Roman Catholic Church. This move, while framed as an act of love and inclusion, actually represents a profound misalignment with Christianity on marriage, sexuality, and holiness. It reflects a troubling willingness within certain segments of the professing Church to prioritize cultural relevance over biblical truth, sacrificing doctrinal integrity for societal acceptance.

As the Roman Catholic Church takes these steps, it is imperative for those who hold to a conservative, biblical worldview to reaffirm the unchanging truths of Scripture. The lines are being drawn in the sand and God is separating the sheep from the goats. He is exposing the whores masquerading as His bride, yet His bride is being purified by fire. The sanctity of marriage, as designed by God, must be upheld, and the authority of Scripture must remain the guiding light in all matters of faith and practice. The true Church must remain steadfast, standing firmly on the foundation of God’s Word, even as the tides of cultural opinion shift and change.