The Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis has taken a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate Roman Catholic Church by allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. This decision marks a departure from the previous stance of the Vatican, which maintained that blessing same-sex couples would contradict the church’s doctrine that marriage is solely between a man and a woman.
However, it is important to note that the new rule emphasizes that blessing a same-sex couple is distinct from performing a marriage sacrament, which is a formal ceremonial rite. The Vatican also clarified that the blessing does not endorse the relationship itself and should not be conducted during or associated with civil or same-sex union ceremonies, or any activities resembling a wedding.
According to the Vatican, blessings are more appropriately given during a meeting with a priest, a visit to a shrine, a pilgrimage, or as a prayer recited in a group setting.
This new rule, outlined in a declaration issued by the church’s office on doctrine and introduced by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the office, is a significant document from the Vatican. Cardinal Fernández emphasized that the declaration does not alter the traditional doctrine of the church regarding marriage, as it does not introduce any liturgical rite that could be confused with the sacrament of marriage.
Cardinal Fernández stated, “It is precisely in this context that one can understand the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”
While acknowledging that this expansion of who can receive blessings represents a genuine development, Cardinal Fernández, in his introduction to the declaration, recognized it as an innovative contribution to the pastoral understanding of blessings. He affirmed that this decision was made based on Pope Francis’ pastoral vision.
