The Vatican clarified that permitting priests to bless same-sex couples is not a support for homosexuality, nor is it considered sacrilegious. This statement comes after certain Catholic bishops expressed disapproval of the decision made last month.
In December, Pope Francis authorized a decision allowing priests to give blessings to unmarried and same-sex couples, as long as the blessing is done without any formal rituals and does not imply the church’s endorsement of the relationship.
The decision was welcomed by LGBTQ+ members of the Catholic community, but created uncertainty among bishops in certain regions, especially in Africa. Some bishops in these areas expressed their refusal to enforce the ruling.
The Vatican reaffirmed Catholic church teachings on marriage by stating that blessing same-sex couples does not justify all of their actions or endorse their lifestyle. This action should not be seen as heretical, against the church’s tradition, or blasphemous.
Clergy members had the choice to offer blessings on a individual basis. The Vatican recognized that this could be risky in places where identifying as homosexual could lead to severe consequences, but they could not completely prohibit it.
The Vatican has released a statement that outlines guidelines for “pastoral blessings,” which should be brief and not condone actions that go against moral standards. The statement also specifies that such blessings may be given in certain situations, such as during a group pilgrimage, when a divorced couple who are now together request the blessing from a priest. In these cases, the priest can offer a short prayer and conclude with the sign of the cross for the couple, lasting only 10-15 seconds.
The Vatican restated that if a homosexual couple requests a blessing, it “should never be given at the same time as a civil union ceremony, and should not be associated with it in any way. It also cannot include any attire, actions, or language that is appropriate for a wedding.”
One commentator described the measure, announced in December, as potentially the most significant change in the Church’s 2,000-year history regarding its stance on gay couples.
The decision was made in response to a letter from Pope Francis to two conservative cardinals, which was released in October. In the letter, Francis stated that blessings of this nature could be given in specific situations, as long as they were not mistaken for the sacrament of marriage.
Source: theguardian.com
