December 19, 2023

Bless Up

The Story

Pope Francis is making the church a little more LGBTQIA+ friendly.

How?

He is now allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. The pope’s move, which is kind of like an executive order, walked back a 2021 Vatican ruling that banned blessing gay couples because God “cannot bless sin.” The move comes weeks after the pope allowed transgender people to be baptized, serve as godparents, and be witnesses at church weddings. Still, the new rule clarifies that a blessing — typically a prayer — should not be given at a gay wedding or civil union ceremony. It also reaffirmed that marriage is between a man and woman.

What are people saying?

Many members of the clergy celebrated the decision, with one priest saying he will be “delighted” to bless his friends in same-sex relationships. Some LGBTQIA+ advocates said the change doesn’t go far enough to remove gay couples’ inferiority to straight couples. Meanwhile, other critics said the new rule could create confusion and division within the church. The Vatican said the change is meant to extend blessings to those who seek it, without requiring people to have “prior moral perfection.”

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For years, polls have shown that Catholics in the US and Europe are increasingly supportive of gay marriage. Now, many say this latest rule moves the church in a more inclusive direction — one that Pope Francis has been paving since 2013.

What has a new immigration law…

Texas. Yesterday, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed what could be one of the strictest state immigration laws in the country. Under Senate Bill 4, state authorities can arrest and deport people who are suspected of illegally crossing the border with Mexico. Migrants could face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on whether it's their first or second offense. Abbott called the legislation “so extreme” that it would deter migrants from entering Texas. Immigration rights advocates said it could lead to racial profiling. Texas Democrats penned a letter calling on the Justice Department to sue and stop the law from going into effect in March.

Where the verdict is in…

Jonathan Majors' trial. Yesterday, a jury found the “Creed III” and Marvel star guilty on two counts of misdemeanor assault and harassment. Earlier this year, Majors’ then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari accused him of assaulting her. During the two-week trial, Jabbari testified that Majors attacked her during an argument after she saw a romantic text on his phone from someone else. Jabbari said the incident left her with a cut behind her ear and fractured finger. While he was acquitted of counts that required proof he acted with intent, Majors still faces up to a year in prison for the assault and harassment charges. In the meantime, Marvel has dropped him.

What’s steeling itself…

US Steel. Yesterday, the more than 100-year-old US company agreed to be bought by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel in a more than $14 billion deal. The news moves the steel-production heavyweight to a foreign owner at a time when politicians have been working to keep steel production in the US — and just as the 2024 election cycle is heating up.

...Oh and speaking of big business: Apple Watches. Yesterday, Apple said it’s temporarily pausing sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watches in the US amid an intellectual property dispute over its Blood Oxygen feature.

Where people are on high alert…

China and Iceland. Yesterday, state media said a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern China, killing at least 118 people and injuring more than 300 others. It comes as a volcano erupted in Iceland's southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula, spewing smoke and lava. Iceland's government reportedly said it doesn't pose a threat to people.

What the latest parenting debate is about...

Tongue ties.

Who we’re hoping also gets a dance number…

Uncle Fester.

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