Pope Francis Allows Priests to Bless Same-Sex Couples
While the Vatican made clear the blessings may not be connected to marriage, it acknowledged the move marks a major shift in church views on LGBT
Pope Francis has allowed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, which was previously disallowed due to the church’s affirmation that marriage is between a man and a woman.
While the move is being hailed by LGBT rights activists, The New York Times noted that the Vatican has made clear that “a blessing of a same-sex couple was not the same as a marriage sacrament, a formal ceremonial rite.”
“It also stressed that it was not blessing the relationship, and that, to avoid confusion, blessings should not be imparted during or connected to the ceremony of a civil or same-sex union, or when there are ‘any clothing, gestures or words that are proper to a wedding,’” the Times reported.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Holy See’s office on doctrine, also clarified that the new rule does not amend “the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage.”
He acknowledged that it marks “a real development” and an “innovative contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessings” that was “based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis.”
“The request for a blessing,” Pope Francis’ declaration states, “expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live. It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”
Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and vocal proponent of making the Catholic Church more welcoming to the LGBT community, hailed the move.
“This new declaration opens the door to nonliturgical blessings for same-sex couples, something that had been previously off-limits for bishops, priests and deacons,” Martin, who has met frequently with Francis to discuss LGBT issues. “Along with many priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex unions.”