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Pope Francis suggests Catholic Church could bless same-sex marriages

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Pope Francis has suggested he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex unions.

In 2021, the Vatican decreed that the Catholic Church would not bless gay marriages because God “cannot bless sin”.

But on Monday, the Vatican published a letter by Pope Francis addressed to a group of cardinals who asked him for clarity on the issue.

The religious leader reiterated that the church only recognises marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but could open the door for blessings of individuals in same-sex unions.

The pope said “pastoral charity” requires patience and understanding, adding that priests should not become judges “who only deny, reject and exclude”.

He said a blessing requested is a plea for God’s help to live a better life even in situations that are “not morally acceptable”.

The religious leader said priests should not only treat people as sinners because they may not fully be at fault for their situations.

Francis suggested that blessing gay unions should not become an official rule but should be decided case by case “because the life of the church runs on channels beyond norms”.

“The Church has a very clear understanding of marriage: an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to procreation,” he wrote.

“Only this union can be called marriage. Other forms of union realise it only in a partial and analogous way so they cannot be strictly called marriage.

“For this reason, the Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction and suggest that something that is not marriage is recognised as marriage.

“However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes.

“The defence of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot be judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.

“Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage.

“For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better. Although there are situations that are not morally acceptable from an objective point of view, the same pastoral charity requires us not to simply treat as sinners other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors affecting subjective accountability.

“Decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm. Not everything that is part of a practical discernment in particular circumstances can be elevated to the level of a rule.

“Canon law should not and cannot cover everything, as the life of the Church flows through many channels other than normative ones.”

In 2020, Pope Francis called gay Catholics “children of God” and gave his endorsement to same-sex civil unions.

Religion

Allow RCCG members attend your schools for free, Lege Miami tells pastor Adeboye

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Lege Miami, the Nigerian actor, has called on Enoch Adeboye to allow members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to attend the church-owned schools for free.

The entertainer took to Instagram to narrate his encounter with a young lady seeking help to pay her school fees.

The actor said when he asked which church she attends, the lady said she is a member of RCCG.

Lege proposed that school fees be waived, with maintenance costs covered by offerings collected during services.

“Pastor Adeboye good evening sir. My name is Lege Miami on social media. I am an advocate for all the youths. Please someone came to me now. This kid is planning to pay for school fees. I asked which church the child attends and the answer was Redeemed Christian Church of God. And I also know your church has a university built and you call it a private school,” he said.

“Please, since the parents of these kids contributed to the building of the school, why not allow these kids to attend the school for free? The money they contribute should be used to take care of the church.

“Daddy please, we do not like the way these kids come to us to beg for money where we are still struggling to eat too. We give money to orphans, and someone who attends Redeemed church is asking money from me.”

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Giving your first salary to your pastor is a waste of time, says Kanayo O Kanayo

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Kanayo.O.Kanayo advises parents to question their children's source of wealth

Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo is not for giving first salaries to pastors but he would accept a small percentage of it as a father.

In a new video posted to his Instagram page, the actor bestowed his blessing on his son who just received his first salary. In the presence of his guests in his home, Kanayo stated that only a father can bless his child not a pastor.

“I want to observe a culture from our ancestors which led to their success, a father’s blessing,” he began, pointing to his son who sat next to him.

“This is my son who just concluded a film production with us and he has earned his first salary which is ₦50,000. From your pocket give me ₦500 and kneel down for me to bless you.”

He explained the importance of the practice and the essence of a father’s blessing over a pastor’s. Kanayo emphasised that those going to their religious leaders to receive a blessing on their first salary are “wasting their time.”

“It is Igbo culture that the first salary of a man be taken to their father. It is so that the father would teach him financial management, and tell him how to manage the money and make it in life and then pronounce his blessing. This is the father’s blessing so all of you who are going to pastors with your salary you’re wasting your time because it is all about culture. Only a father can bless his son or daughter,” the actor emphasised.

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“You will end in destruction” – Bishop Oyedepo issues warning to Yahoo Boys

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Nigerian clergyman and founder of Living Faith Church otherwise known as Winners Chapel, has issued a warning to Yahoo boys.

The popular clergyman, during a sermon on Sunday, April 28th, said that internet fraudsters, who are famously known as Yahoo boys, are living in a very fast lane which would end in bitterness and destruction.

He stated that nobody playing games has a future in the Kingdom as he admonished them to desist from it. He noted how there is a law to mind which is the law of sowing and reaping, the law of seedtime and harvest, and the law of giving and receiving.

Bishop Oyedepo in his final message told them to engage in the law cheerfully and should watch how they will begin to lay up gold with time.

He said: “Nobody playing games has a future in the kingdom. Hear this and hear it forever. If that is your trade, stop it.

Yahoo Yahoo business, stop it. Grabbing people’s ATM card details, stop it! You are on a very fast lane that always ends in bitterness and d£§truction.

There is the law to mind. The law of sowing and reaping. The law of seedtime and harvest. The law of giving and receiving that is the law.

Engage with that law cheerfully. Engage with that law willingly. Engage with that law tirelessly and watch how you begin to lay up gold with time.”

Sometimes back, Bishop David Oyedepo had made headlines when he banned earphones and others in his church, describing them as devil’s tools.

According to Man of God, youths with earphones are not ready to hear God’s words, hence they should not be allowed into the church.

He had also warned married couples on the dangers of not having a good sex life. He averred that a sex-starved marriage is heading for destruction.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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