Pope Francis has cleared the way for the Catholic Church to bless same-sex couples – but only under strict conditions. This is evident from a letter about the doctrine that the Vatican published in Rome on Monday. According to the official German translation, it is about the “possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and couples of the same sex.” As far-reaching as the decision is, the wording makes it clear that the Vatican is by no means prepared to equate homosexual partnerships with marriage between a man and a woman.
The question of whether same-sex couples can receive a blessing is one of the major controversial issues in the Catholic Church. Unlike the Pope, who had previously shown himself open to this, many conservative clerics still strongly reject this today. In Germany, blessing ceremonies for homosexual couples are already practiced in many communities, but until now these have taken place in a gray area under canon law. The Archdiocese of Cologne, led by the ultra-conservative Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, recently reprimanded a pastor for this.
The statement entitled “Fiducia supplicans” (roughly: “Plea for confidence”) has now been published by the Vatican Office for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the central authorities of the Papal States. As head of the Catholic Church, she had previously expressly approved of Francis. The letter also bears his signature. It was written by Cardinal Prefect Victor Manuel Fernández, who, like the Pope, is from Argentina.
The limits of the decision
The “Declaration on the Pastoral Significance of Blessings” makes a fundamental distinction between different forms of blessing. The Vatican makes it clear that ritual blessings or anything remotely resembling a wedding are still barred for same-sex couples. All rituals and prayers that may cause confusion are not allowed. Marriage is the “exclusive, permanent and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, open by its nature to the procreation of children.”
It goes on to say that there is also the possibility of blessing those who do not live according to the standards of Christian moral teaching. “Every person, even if he lives in situations that do not correspond to the Creator’s plan, has positive elements for which he can praise the Lord.” When people spontaneously ask for a blessing – “whether on pilgrimages, at pilgrimage sites or even on the street when they meet a priest” – blessings can be given without asking for anything. Literally: “No one should be excluded.”
The step away from the clear no
Francis himself had already made it clear in a letter to several cardinals this fall that he does not fundamentally reject blessings for homosexual couples. Anyone who wants a blessing must, trusting God, ask for his help to live better. One must therefore judge whether there can be forms of blessing without conveying a false idea of marriage. Even then, the Pope rejected official regulations on this matter – for example through dioceses or bishops’ conferences.
With the statement, the Vatican changes course. Just two years ago – during Francis’ term of office – the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church made it clear that it was “not permitted” to bless homosexual partnerships. Such connections “could not be recognized as objectively consistent with the revealed plans of God.”
U-turn shortly after his birthday
The Pope celebrated his 87th birthday on Sunday. Despite health problems, he has made it clear several times in recent months that, unlike his German predecessor Benedict XVI. doesn’t want to resign. Francis has also launched a world synod that is currently discussing changes. The next and possibly last meeting is scheduled for October next year. In the ten years of his pontificate so far, Francis has disappointed many hopes for great reforms that accompanied him, especially in the early days.
The approval of blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples was also one of the main demands for the reform process of the German Synodal Path. Despite massive criticism from conservative forces, the demand was officially approved by the Synodal Assembly in March. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
