(LifeSiteNews) – A Catholic priest “blessed” a homosexual union using a ritual from the Waldensian Evangelical Church.

Father Roberto Falconi, an Italian priest, “blessed” a homosexual couple in a ceremony that looked like a wedding. The event took place in Caprino Bergamasco, a town 25 miles northeast of Milan. The priest said that the ritual blessing was meant to be discreet, but a guest posted photos of it on social media.

Italian Catholic news outlet La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana (NBQ)interviewed Falconi, who admitted that the “blessings” are not in accordance with Catholic morality but attempted to justify them anyway.

Asked by NBQ if his bishop was informed about the “blessing” ceremony, Falconi responded, “No, look, let’s put it this way: Since we’re talking about NBQ, I’ll tell you right away that I know full well that these things are not morally acceptable.”

He also admitted that the blessing did not conform with Fiducia Supplicans, Pope Francis’s heterodox document on blessings for homosexual couples.

“It wasn’t a strict blessing according to the provisions of Fiducia Supplicans. I took a blessing from the Waldensian Church and organized this liturgy, for which I take full responsibility,” the Italian priest told NBQ.

He said the ceremony was “supposed to remain a private matter” and insisted that the bishop did not know about it.

“Why did you do it even though you knew it was contrary to morality?” NBQ asked the priest.

“My reasoning is simple: these are homosexual believers who are not asking for marriage, they are only asking for their journey to be placed under God’s blessing. My discernment is to accompany and safeguard the distinction between marriage and blessing,” he responded.

“But what path? Do you realize that the union of two homosexuals is a sin? What are you blessing?” NBQ responded, leaning on the dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and gravely sinful.

“We know that there are various positions on the subject, there are differences and different views. But they are all legitimate. Even Paul was in favor of slavery, and now we have evolved,” Falconi claimed.

“In short, the attempt is to read the Gospel while also taking this reality into account,” he stated.

READ: Cardinal of Madrid tells heterodox LGBT conference the Church must promote ‘inclusion’ of homosexuals

Falconi, in an apparent attempt to excuse his heterodox action, said that during his regular work in his parish he does everything “in accordance with Catholic doctrine.”

“I celebrate Mass, I hear confessions, I carry out pastoral care for pilgrims, I provide spiritual guidance; in short, I do the things that a Catholic priest normally does. And let’s not forget the promotion of Marian devotion, so you won’t find any flaws in that,” he claimed.

“But then what is that blessing? A diversion that you allow yourself in order to be more open?” NBQ asked.

“Well, let’s say that in my free time I also allow myself these off-air moments,” the priest responded.