On Monday, the Vatican, with Pope Francis’s endorsement, declared that priests may bless same-sex couples if it’s not part of standard church ceremonies.
A Vatican statement clarified that blessing unconventional unions is not an endorsement but a signal of God’s inclusive love, distinct from traditional marriage sacraments.
It said that priests ought to make judgments individually, ensuring the Church remains accessible to those seeking divine assistance with blessings without forbidding or hindering this support.
In October, the Pope suggested formal adjustments were coming after five traditionalist cardinals posed queries during a Vatican bishops’ meeting.
The eight-page statement released on Monday, subtitled “On the Pastoral Significance of Blessings,” detailed particular cases, including an 11-part section titled “Blessings for Couples in Irregular Circumstances and Same-Sex Couples.”
The Church holds that while feeling attracted to the same sex isn’t wrong, engaging in homosexual behaviors is. Pope Francis, since 2013, has aimed to create a more inclusive Church for LGBT individuals while upholding traditional teachings on these matters.
Father James Martin, a leading Jesuit priest in the U.S. serving the LGBT community, described the statement as a significant advance for their church support.
Vatican okays blessing for same-sex couples
On X, Martin noted the document acknowledges the yearning of Catholic same-sex partners for God in their unions and expressed his joy at blessing such couples, much like numerous clergy.
The document, titled in Latin “Fiducia Supplicans” or “Supplicating Trust,” states that the way a blessing is given should not be set in stone by church leaders to prevent it from being mixed up with the marriage blessing.
It suggests that this blessing could be offered to individuals who aren’t seeking to validate their relationship but are instead asking for the good, true, and valuable parts of their life and partnership to be uplifted, mended, and enhanced by the Holy Spirit’s influence.
“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” it said, adding that it “must be nurtured, not hindered.”
The statement indicated that the blessing should remain separate from a civil marriage ceremony and not include wedding-specific attire, actions, or language. It suggested that appropriate settings for blessings might include a trip to a holy place, a talk with a clergyman, a communal prayer, or while on a religious journey.
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