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# Biden to continue supporting same-sex marriage despite Vatican ruling
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/biden-to-continue-supporting-same-sex-marriage-despite-vatican-ruling/
- Published: 2021-03-18T09:09:03.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-18T07:08:24.000Z
- Description: Biden will continue to support same-sex marriage despite a recent church ruling.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Catholic church, Elton John, Joe Biden, LGBTQ, LGBTQ Marriage, Marriage equality, Pope Francis, Same Sex Marriage

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/joe-biden-lgbt-rights-600-400.jpg)

Catholic **US** president, **Joe Biden,** has insisted he will continue to support same-sex marriage following a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith where the Vatican said God does not bless LGBTQ+ unions. In a l[etter](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/03/15/210315b.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk) written by the Vatican, and approved by **Pope Francis**, the Catholic Church said although same-sex relationships are *“* *valued and appreciated”,* God *“does not and cannot bless sin.”*

It continued: *“He blesses sinful man, so that he may recognise that he is part of his plan of love and allow himself to be changed by him.”* The Church confirmed that it will continue not to bless same-sex marriages, sparking backlash from many LGBTQ+ people and allies. In response to the Vatican’s statement, White House press secretary, **Jen Psaki,** [told the press](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-lgbt/white-house-says-biden-continues-to-support-same-sex-unions-idUSKBN2B72B1?ref=scenemag.co.uk) that devout Catholic Biden continues to *“believe, and support same-sex unions, as you know, and he’s long had that position.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pope-francis-600-400.jpg)

Pope Francis approved the statement against same-sex marriage

The Church ruling was criticised by **New Ways Ministry**, a Catholic LGBTQ+ advocacy group, which deemed it *“disappointing”* and said: “\[The decision\] *is an impotent one because it won’t stop the movement to bless such couples”.* Executive director, **Francis DeBernardo,** said God has *“already blessed”* same-sex unions, adding: *“Catholic people recognise the holiness of the love between committed same-sex couples and recognise this love as divinely inspired.”*

The Vatican’s statement has also been criticised by those outside the Church, with singer and LGBTQ+ advocate, **Elton John**, sharing a message on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMcfuE3Dg5Z/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed) which reads: *“How can the Vatican refuse to bless gay marriages because they “are sin”, yet happily make a profit from investing millions in “Rocketman” – a film which celebrates my finding happiness from my marriage to David?”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lgbt-marriage-love-is-love-600-400.jpg)