ABC News anchor, Gio Benitez, who is openly gay, recently received the sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, a Jesuit-run parish in New York known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ issues.
Benitez’s husband served as his sponsor, and the parish described the event as a “beautiful witness of love.”
While the ceremony drew public attention, a Nigerian priest ordained under a foreign diocese of South Korea, Fr. Prince Chidi Philip to to his Facebook page to write, “it is important to understand what Confirmation truly represents in the Catholic Church. Confirmation is not a public endorsement of anyone’s lifestyle or personal choices. Rather, it is a sacrament for sinners seeking grace and spiritual transformation.“
Fr. Chidi Philip, who is also from Anambra state, maintained that “the Church confirms those willing to walk the narrow path of conversion, it does not confirm saints or condone sinful behavior.”
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that while homosexual acts are contrary to divine law, people with same-sex tendencies “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” The Church welcomes all, but the goal is chastity and spiritual growth, not affirmation of disorder,” he said.
The priest further noted that, “Confirmation is not for saints. It is for sinners, sinners who are ready to be changed.”
Events like Benitez’s Confirmation have sparked debate over the balance between mercy and doctrinal fidelity. Some argue that the pastoral message surrounding this ceremony risks turning the altar into a stage for emotional affirmation rather than divine transformation. Critics caution that inclusivity should never come at the expense of truth.
Despite the controversy, the story of Gio Benitez is ultimately one of grace and spiritual seeking. It reminds the faithful that the Church’s doors are open to all, but they lead toward transformation, not mere celebration of personal desires.
