The Vatican, in a groundbreaking decision endorsed by Pope Francis, announced on Monday that Roman Catholic priests are allowed to impart blessings to same-sex couples, provided these blessings are distinct from regular Church rituals or liturgies.
In a document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, reversing a previous declaration from 2021, it emphasized that such blessings do not sanction irregular situations but serve as a symbol that God embraces everyone. It explicitly stated that this practice should not be conflated with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage.
The document recommended that priests make decisions on a case-by-case basis and encouraged them not to hinder the Church’s support for individuals seeking God’s help through a simple blessing in various life situations.
In October, Pope Francis hinted at an impending official change in response to inquiries from conservative cardinals during a synod of bishops. While the initial response in October was more nuanced, Monday’s eight-page document, titled “On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings,” outlined specific situations, including an 11-point section addressing “Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex.”
While the Church maintains that same-sex attraction is not sinful, it considers homosexual acts as such. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has sought to foster a more inclusive environment for the Church’s over 1.35 billion members without altering moral doctrine.
Father James Martin, a prominent American Jesuit priest ministering to the LGBT community, hailed the document as “a major step forward in the church’s ministry” to them. He expressed his joy in being able to bless same-sex unions.
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry advocating for LGBT rights in the Church, emphasized the significance of the document, praising its language that discourages subjecting people seeking blessings to an “exhaustive moral analysis.”
Married couple Martin Hardwick and Andrew Gibb from Manchester, England, who have been together for 41 years, welcomed the long-overdue move.
