UGCC speaks out on declaration allowing blessing of same-sex couples: does not apply to Eastern Catholic churches
Kyiv • UNN
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church states that the Vatican's "Fiducia Supplicans" on the blessing of same-sex couples does not apply to Eastern Catholic Churches, as in their tradition the blessing has a different meaning.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has issued a communiqué stating that the Fiducia Supplicans declaration, which allows for the blessing of same-sex couples, does not apply to Eastern Catholic churches, UNN reports.
Details
"The Declaration interprets the pastoral meaning of blessings in the Latin Church, not in the Eastern Catholic Churches. It does not address issues of Catholic faith or morality, nor does it refer to any prescriptions of the Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches, nor does it mention Eastern Christians. Thus, on the basis of can. 1492 of the CCCC, this Declaration applies exclusively to the Latin Church and has no legal force for the faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church," the communiqué reads.
The report states that the meaning of "blessing" in the UGCC and the Latin Church is different. According to the traditions of the Byzantine rite, the concept of "blessing" means approval, permission, or even an order for a certain type of action, prayer and ascetic practices, including certain types of fasting and prayer.
Therefore, a blessing from a priest "cannot contradict the teaching of the Catholic Church about the family as a faithful, indissoluble, and fruitful union of love between a man and a woman."
Recall
The Vatican allows priests to bless same-sex couples without implying that the Church approves of their union. No weddings or other marriage ceremonies will be held for homosexuals, and this decision is not a confirmation of the status of marriage.
