Lewis Hamilton has described a Vatican ban on priests blessing same-sex unions as “unacceptable”.
On Monday (15 March), the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith responded to the question of blessing same-sex unions on behalf of the Vatican, and insisted that God “does not bless sin”.
Hamilton, who is Catholic, took to Instagram to express his frustration at the Vatican’s decision, sharing a post by Elton John which read: “How can the Vatican refuse to bless gay marriages because they ‘are sin’, yet happily make a profit from investing millions in Rocketman – a film which celebrated my finding happiness from my marriage to David?”
Alongside John’s post, the seven-time World Champion Formula One driver wrote: “Standing in solidarity with Elton John and the whole LGBTQ+ community on this issue.
“It is unacceptable that in this day and age, anyone should face prejudice or discrimination based on the person they love, especially in the name of God who we are told loves us all equally.
“It is incredibly sad that many will now feel they have to choose between their faith and being their true self, and I want my followers to know that I stand with you and I support you, and you deserve happiness.
“Love is love, don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
Hamilton opened up about his Catholic faith when he was interviewed by Serena Williams for Interview Magazine in 2017, explaining that for him, his religion is about lifting others up.
He said: “I used to be insecure about the fact that I’m Catholic and that I have a relationship with God. It wasn’t until I got to Formula One that I really started to embrace it and feel comfortable showing it.
“There’s a quote from Marianne Williamson: ‘There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you.’ I have that tattooed on my chest.
“She goes on to say, ‘We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
“As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
