In a lengthy note posted on their official website, the Vatican has officially condemned the union between people of the same sex, calling it a 'sin' and a 'choice.'
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Approved by Pope Francis himself
The note was approved by Pope Francis himself, who had previously encouraged the welcoming of same sex couples into the church and even advanced the idea to recognize homosexual civil unions.
In an interview the Pope gave for a documentary last year, the head of the Catholic church had said that:
Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They're children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," the Pope said, adding: "What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered
The letter in question stated that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions because they 'cannot be recognized as objectively ordered' to God's plan. It also makes reference to homosexuality being an unnatural lifestyle choice that one actively decides to act upon thus rendering it 'sinful' and unfit to 'be considered licit.'
Homosexual individuals may still receive a blessing
To the dismay of many gay and lesbian Catholics around the world who were hoping for a more modern and accepting approach to homosexuality from their Church, the note also said that God 'does not and cannot bless sin' but that it would accept individuals regardless of their sexual preferences.
The note said:
It is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex.
Adding that if the church were to approve of same-sex unions it would send out a message of approval and encouragement of:
A choice and a way of life that cannot be recognized as objectively ordered to the revealed plans of God.
In a nutshell, according to the Vatican, it will accept you even if you are gay but not if you 'decide' to love someone of the same gender.
