(CNSNews) In contradiction of the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year-old teaching on marriage and sexual morality, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German Bishops’ Conference and one of Pope Francis’ senior advisers, said it is okay for Catholic priests to encourage homosexual couples and to bless them in some form of liturgical or church ceremony.
The influential cardinal made his remarks on the Bavarian State Broadcasting radio service on Feb. 3, reported the Catholic News Agency and other media outlets. His statements apparently have not been challenged by Pope Francis or by other bishops.