Vatican authorizes blessing of same-sex couples without marriage - Vatican News

The Vatican will bless same-sex couples. However, for they will not be able to have weddings or other marriage ceremonies, and this decision is not a confirmation of their confirmation of the status of spouses. The adoption of the declaration "Fiducia supplicans" is reported by the official website of the Vatican. Vatican's official website, reports UNN.

Thanks to the Declaration "Fiducia supplicans" issued by the Dicastery of the Faith, and approved by Pope Francis, it will be possible to bless same-sex couples, but without any ritualization or creation of the impression of marriage. The doctrine of marriage does not doctrine on marriage is not changing, and the blessing does not imply approval of the union.

Details

The doctrinal declaration approved by the Pontiff opens up the possibility of to bless spouses in irregular situations. Namely, when two people ask for a blessing, even if their situation as a couple is "abnormal." an ordained minister can give consent. However, this gesture of pastoral intimacy should avoid any elements that remotely resemble a marriage ceremony. ritual.

The published document "Fiducia supplicans" generally explores the topic of blessings, distinguishing between ritual and liturgical blessings, as well as spontaneous blessings that are more like signs of popular piety. It is in this second part is now considering the possibility of accepting even those who do not live according to with the norms of Christian moral doctrine, but humbly ask to be to be blessed.

According to Vatican News, 23 years have passed since the former "Holy Office" published a Declaration (the last one was in August 2000 with "Dominus Jesus"), a document of such doctrinal importance.

"Fiducia supplicans begins with an introduction by the prefect, Cardinal Victor Fernández, who explains that the Declaration addresses "the pastoral significance of of blessings" by allowing "an extension and enrichment of the classical understanding" through theological reflection, "based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis".

After the first paragraphs (1-3), which recall the previous resolution of 2021 which has now been revised and replaced, the Declaration introduces the blessing in the Sacrament of Matrimony (paragraphs 4-6), noting as inadmissible "rites and prayers which may create confusion between what constitutes marriage" and "what is contrary to it", avoiding any implication of contrary", avoiding any implication that "something that is not marriage is recognized as is recognized as marriage". It is again emphasized that according to the "eternal Catholic doctrine" only sexual relations between a man and a woman in the context of of marriage.

The second extended part of the Declaration (paragraphs 7-30) analyzes the meaning of of the various blessings given to people, objects of worship, and places of of life.

The document recalls that "from a purely liturgical point of view" the blessing requires that what is blessed "conform to the will of God as expressed in the teaching of the Church's teaching."

"When a blessing is invoked on a particular human relationship" through a a special liturgical rite, the Declaration notes, "it is necessary that what is blessed must be in accordance with God's intentions as recorded in creation." Therefore, the Church has no power to to grant a liturgical blessing to irregular or same-sex couples. У The document also emphasizes that the risk of reducing the meaning of blessings of blessings to this point of view, expecting a simple blessing to have "the same moral conditions for a simple blessing that are necessary for for the reception of the sacraments," the publication quotes paragraph 12 of the adopted declaration.

Instead, after analyzing blessings in Scripture, the Declaration offers a theological and pastoral understanding. Those who ask for a blessing show that they "need God's saving presence" in their lives by expressing "a request for God's help, a plea to live better."

Therefore, this request should be accepted and and evaluated "outside the liturgical framework" when it is "in the realm of greater spontaneity and freedom.

Viewed from the perspective of popular piety, "blessings should be should be seen as acts of devotion". Those who ask for a blessing "should not be be required of those seeking a blessing as a precondition," the in the Declaration.

The third part of the Declaration (paragraphs 31-41) opens up the possibility of these blessings, which are a sign to those who "recognize themselves as destitute and and in need of his help, do not claim the legitimacy of their own status, but who plead for whatever is true, good and humanly valid in their lives and relationships may be enriched, healed and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit" (para. 31).

Paragraph 37 states that these blessings should not necessarily become the norm, as stated in the Statement, but should be left to "practical discernment in particular circumstances".

While the couple is blessed, not their union, the Declaration states that blessed is the legal relationship between two people: in "a brief prayer before this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister may ask that the persons have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialog and mutual assistance, but also God's light and strength to be able to fully fulfill His will" (par 38).

It also clarifies to avoid "any form of confusion or scandal." when an irregularly married couple or same-sex couple seeks a blessing, it "should never be granted in connection with civil union ceremonies, nor even in connection with civil union ceremonies, nor even in connection with them. Nor should it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are characteristic of a wedding" - the norms for the of such a blessing in paragraph 39.

Such a blessing "can find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a group, or during a pilgrimage.

Finally, in chapter four (paragraphs 42-45), all believers are reminded that "even when a person's relationship with God is marred by sin, he can always ask for a blessing by reaching out to God" and that desiring a blessing "may be a possible blessing in some situations."

Recall

Earlier UNN wrote about the position of Pope Pope Francis' position on same-sex marriage. In particular, in October, the Pontiff spoke favorably about leaving open the possibility for priests to bless same-sex couples, but with certain reservations.