CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina man is feeling hopeful about the future of the Catholic Church after priests were given approval to bless same-sex couples by the pope. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Pope Francis just gave formal approval for priest to bless same-sex couples

  •  This comes years after the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said they would not allow the blessing

  •  A Charlotte man who left the Catholic Church says the approval is a step in the right direction

 

Jason Gingras lives in Charlotte with his husband and two sons. 

"In 2015, I never thought I would be here," Gingras said. "Being able to be married in a church and having two wonderful beautiful sons and a wonderful husband. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I really am truly blessed, once I accepted myself and removed all the shame and guilt." 

Years back, Gingras was part of the Roman Catholic Church. 

But Gingras wasn't able to be himself — a gay man — in his church. He would later make the tough decision to leave. 

Today, Gingras is feeling more hope for people in the LGBTQ communities. Pope Francis just formally approved Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. 

This is two years after the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said it would not allow the blessing. 

"I was pretty surprised, and I had to fact check it. I didn't expect in a mere two years for there to be that much of a difference or change on approach for gay Catholics in the church," Gingras said. 

Gingras says a part of him wishes the decision happened when he was still part of the Catholic Church. 

But the approval doesn't change the direction of Gingras' life now. He found a church that accepts him for who he is and who he loves.

"No, I won't be going back to the Catholic Church," Gingras said. "I'm very happy in the Episcopal faith. I was able to get married in the Episcopal church, so that's super important for me. But for some folks, being able to come from behind the shadows and being able to be their true self, this may be enough for them."

"Being able to bless the unions is a step in the direction. It still can't be part of the liturgy per se, it needs to be separate, but I do hope over time there are more voices out there in the church. Some of the cardinals and bishops that continue to move forward and try to allow folks to be able to get married and have families because we have a beautiful family," he said. 

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