• $ 1.7
  • € 1.8582
  • ₽ 2.0804
  • ₺ 0.0463
  • £ 2.208

Pope marries 20 cohabiting couples in sign of papacy shift

Pope marries 20 cohabiting couples in sign of papacy shift
16.09.2014 09:41
Pope Francis has presided over the marriage of 20 couples at the Vatican, including some who were cohabiting, one of them with a child.

Pope Francis had asked to marry 40 people from different social backgrounds who represented modern couples.It was the first papal marriage ceremony of its kind in 14 years.The pope has expressed greater tolerance than his predecessor on many issues, including family values.Sunday's ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome comes three weeks before a meeting of Catholic bishops from around the world to examine church teachings on family matters.Slow shiftOne of the couples married was a man whose previous marriage was annulled and a single mother with a daughter from a previous relationship.Pope Francis told the couples at the two-hour ceremony that marriage was "not an easy road, it's sometimes a contentious trip, but that's life," AFP news agency reports.Very slowly, the church under the guidance of Pope Francis is facing the fact that many Catholic couples cohabit before marriage, use contraception freely and divorce and remarry without seeking an annulment, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome.He said in his homily that families are "bricks that build society", but also believes that the church should forgive those who have sex outside marriage or who don't obey church teaching to the letter.It was the first marriage Pope Francis has conducted in his 18-month papacy. The last wedding to be presided over by a pope took place under John Paul II in 2000.The world's clergy will gather in Rome in October to discuss issues such as marriage, divorce and contraception.They are expected to discuss the results of a worldwide survey launched by the Vatican last year to find out what Catholics really think about its teaching on marriage and family life.(BBC)Bakudaily.Az

Similar news
Similar news
Turkey to step up diplomatic push to reinstate Gaza ceasefire, Erdogan says
World 11:00
Turkey to step up diplomatic push to reinstate Gaza ceasefire, Erdogan says
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu arrested in corruption probe
World 10:30
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu arrested in corruption probe
Turkish University annuls Erdogan rival’s degree, blocking presidential bid
Political News 10:00
Turkish University annuls Erdogan rival’s degree, blocking presidential bid
Trump and Putin conclude call on moves to end Ukraine war
Political News 21:09
Trump and Putin conclude call on moves to end Ukraine war
Trump-Putin phone call ends, White House says
World 20:48
Trump-Putin phone call ends, White House says
France to deploy 40 nuclear-capable Rafale Jets at German border by 2032 – France 3
World 15:00
France to deploy 40 nuclear-capable Rafale Jets at German border by 2032 – France 3
Rugby-US men to host England in bumper summer of fixtures
Sport 14:21
Rugby-US men to host England in bumper summer of fixtures
Cotton steady as higher oil, grain prices provide support
Business 12:58
Cotton steady as higher oil, grain prices provide support
Ukraine's GDP up by 1.1% year-on-year in January-February, first deputy PM says
World 12:37
Ukraine's GDP up by 1.1% year-on-year in January-February, first deputy PM says
Anews TV

Our official Youtube channel

Subscribe