The Vatican has granted approval for Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples. The ruling, approved by Pope Francis, permits such blessings as long as they are not incorporated into regular Church rituals, liturgies, or contexts related to civil unions or weddings.
According to a document from
the Vatican’s doctrinal office, released on Monday, the blessings signify God's
acceptance of all individuals but do not legitimize irregular situations. The
document emphasizes that these blessings should not coincide with ceremonies of
civil unions or weddings and should not adopt wedding rituals, clothing, or
gestures.
Priests are advised to assess
each case individually and are encouraged not to obstruct the Church’s support
for individuals seeking God’s guidance through a simple blessing. The document
builds on a preliminary response from Pope Francis in October, indicating that
such blessings could be considered under specific circumstances without
conflating the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.
While reiterating the Church's
stance on marriage as a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman, the
document stresses that requests for blessings should not be categorically
denied. It provides an extensive definition of "blessing" in
Scripture, asserting that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God
should not face exhaustive moral scrutiny as a prerequisite for receiving it.
The Vatican, maintaining its position
on the indissoluble union between a man and a woman in marriage, has
historically opposed same-sex marriage. In 2021, the Vatican's Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith explicitly stated that the Church could not bless
unions between two men or two women, citing the belief that "God cannot
bless sin."
This document follows that
announcement and acknowledges that individuals in "irregular" unions,
regardless of sexual orientation, are considered to be in a state of sin.
However, it emphasizes that this should not preclude them from receiving God's
love and mercy.
Pope Francis, in alignment with
this more inclusive stance, has criticized laws criminalizing homosexuality as
"unjust" and has urged Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ individuals
into the Church. The Vatican's previous refusal in 2008 to endorse a UN
declaration for the decriminalization of homosexuality is also highlighted. The
Vatican objected to the inclusion of terms like "sexual orientation"
and "gender identity" in the declaration, considering them
problematic.
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