The Catholic Church has made a significant change in its stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Pope Francis has given his formal approval for Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, as long as the priests do not appear to endorse their marriage.
This marks a more lenient decree compared to the church’s previous position, which stated that God “cannot bless sin” in relation to same-sex couples.
However, the Vatican still emphasizes that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, and priests must avoid any confusion or scandal. Pope Francis has been known for his liberalization towards LGBTQ Catholics since becoming pope in 2013 and has advocated for the decriminalization of homosexuality.
The new declaration is seen as a positive step forward for the church in regards to LGBTQ individuals. The Vatican’s document draws a distinction between formal and informal blessings and specifies that blessings should not be associated with civil unions or wedding-related gestures. Instead, blessings may be granted in settings such as meetings with a priest or visits to shrines.
The document also mentions that blessings can be given to couples in irregular situations, including those who are divorced and remarried without annulments, as long as they do not seek recognition of their status but desire the enrichment and healing of their relationships through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Vatican states that a blessing offers individuals a means to deepen their trust in God.
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