CARNAL NATION

The archbishop of Florence has "invited" one of his local priests, Father Alessandro Santoro, to take a little time off from his priestly duties for "reflection and prayer," about a controversial marriage ceremony that he performed. Santoro married Sandra Alvino, a 64-year-old MTF woman, to Fortunato Talotta, a 58-year-old cisgendered man on Sunday despite the objections of Church officials. Archbishop Giuseppe Betori condemned the union as "devoid of value because of the absence of the necessary components of a religious marriage." Senior Vatican official Cardinal Renato Martino was even more harsh: "I do not understand how something like that can be done," he said. "It's against nature and it does not bring anything to the church.... Biology, that God made man and woman, cannot be changed by trickery."

Although official church doctrine does not recognize same-sex or transgender relationships, Santoro said that his decision to give the couple his blessing was done out of love for the Church, not in opposition to it: "[It was] an act of loyalty to my congregation, to the church and to the people that I love."

This is the second time that Alvino and Talotta have tried to get married; a previous attempt two years ago was halted by the former archbishop of Florence, Ennio Antonelli. When they finally joined hands on Sunday, over 200 people attended the ceremony. We at CarnalNation wish much happiness to them and congratulate Father Santoro for his rare compassion and courage. We hope we see more like him in the Catholic clergy.