Vatican City commemorated the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's death on Sunday, with prominent figures from his papacy expressing their opposition to a recent declaration by Pope Francis allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, who served as the Church's doctrinal chief under Benedict, and Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, Benedict's private secretary, both German, were among the key speakers at the event organized by the conservative U.S.-based Catholic television network EWTN.
Cardinal Mueller, in an interview with Reuters, stated that such a declaration would never have been issued under Pope Benedict's leadership due to its ambiguity. The landmark declaration, released on December 18, emphasized that while same-sex blessings cannot resemble the sacrament of matrimony and cannot be part of rituals or liturgies, it was seen by some as a potential precursor to same-sex marriage within the Church. Mueller unequivocally stated, "There is no homosexual matrimony. It does not exist, it cannot exist, despite ideologies we have (today)."
During his Sunday blessing in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis briefly acknowledged the anniversary of Benedict's death, expressing admiration and gratitude for his predecessor's service to the Church. Despite their differences, Francis and Mueller maintain a good personal relationship, but Mueller does not hesitate to publicly disagree with the Pope on doctrinal matters. He believes that it is important to uphold the Catholic truth and faith and not simply be sycophantic followers.
In a memorial Mass held in St. Peter's Basilica, Archbishop Gaenswein, who served as Benedict's secretary, delivered an emotional homily. Reflecting on Benedict's resignation, which divided the Church, Gaenswein remarked that many of the controversies surrounding the former pope would eventually be forgotten, and history would judge the substance of his papacy. Gaenswein also revealed that when Benedict made the decision to resign, he believed he had at most a year left to live. Expressing his hope that Benedict would be canonized as a saint, Gaenswein stated, "I pray he will be a saint. I wish he will be a saint. And I am convinced he will be a saint."
The recent policy allowing blessings for same-sex couples has sparked debate within the Catholic Church, with Cardinal Mueller's comments highlighting the opposition from some conservative factions. The policy emphasizes the importance of God's love and mercy for all individuals, regardless of their “irregular” unions, while reiterating the Church's stance on marriage as a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. The Vatican's doctrine office stressed the need to avoid doctrinal or disciplinary schemes that hinder the nurturing of the Holy Spirit and the opening of doors to grace.
The anniversary event in Vatican City served as a platform for the expression of differing views within the Catholic Church, highlighting the ongoing tension between conservative and progressive factions. As the Church continues to grapple with issues of inclusion and doctrine, the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI and his successor, Pope Francis, will undoubtedly shape the future direction of the Church.
