The Controversy Surrounding Blessing Relationships and Sin

There is a divide within the church regarding the concept of blessing relationships. On one side, there is the belief that blessing a relationship is equal to blessing the sin if the couple is engaged in a public, ongoing sinful relationship with no intention of repentance. On the other side, people argue that blessing a relationship is not blessing sin, but rather blessing two people to live chastely. The debate also extends to same-sex unions, with Archbishop Shephew emphasizing that there can be same-sex individuals living together chastely. The issue is further complicated by the potential for couples to have a sinful past but strive to purify and elevate their relationship, as opposed to those who are unrepentantly involved in sinful unions, which raises questions about the appropriateness of blessing such relationships.