The Pfarrer-Initiative, a group of priests formed in 2006 which now has 350 members, has denounced a recent Vatican ruling which said the Catholic Church will not bless same-sex marriages as God “does not and cannot bless sin.” The Pfarrer-Initiative is known for advocating for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality in the Church, and hoped Pope Francis would do so when he was elected in 2013.However, the Pope approved the anti-LGBTQ+ Vatican ruling, leading the Pfarrer-Initiative to release a statement where it said it was “deeply appalled” by the attitudes towards same-sex couples.