The Vatican announced on Monday that it has approved blessings for same-sex couples, although it emphasized that these blessings should not be regarded as a Catholic sacrament and should not be associated with civil unions or weddings.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
In a document endorsed by Pope Francis, the Vatican supported “the possibility of blessings for couples in non-traditional situations, including same-sex couples.”
The document further stated, “The Church should not hinder or prohibit its support to individuals in any circumstance where they seek God’s guidance through a simple blessing.”
Nevertheless, the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex marriages or unions remains unchanged. The Church maintains that marriage is exclusively intended for a man and a woman and is aimed at procreation.
The document made it clear that “this blessing ought never to be performed in concurrence with civil union ceremonies or in connection with them,” highlighting the Vatican’s position.
The head of the Vatican’s faith division, responsible for drafting the document, explained in an introduction that it represents “a broadening and enrichment” of the Vatican’s perspective on blessings to be “consistent with the pastoral vision of Pope Francis,” who advocates for an inclusive Church.
In 2021, the Vatican contended that the Church lacks the authority to bless same-sex unions since God cannot “bless sin.”
This position was reiterated on Monday, with the document stating, “To prevent any misinterpretation or scandal, blessings for same-sex couples must not involve attire, actions, or language that pertain to a wedding.”
The document went on to suggest alternative settings where such blessings might be appropriate, such as visits to shrines, meetings with priests, group prayers, or pilgrimages.
Kindly share
