Pope Francis has issued a doctrinal declaration that priests can bless same-sex couples. However, for such unions, performing church marriage rituals or creating the impression of marriage remains prohibited.
This is stated in the Vatican message.
That is, if a same-sex couple asks a clergyman for a blessing, the ordained priest can give his consent. However, this gesture should not even remotely resemble a marriage ceremony.
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The Vatican emphasizes that the teaching on marriage does not change, and blessing a homosexual couple does not mean approval of their union.
The Declaration distinguishes ceremonial and liturgical blessings from spontaneous ones. The latter are more like gestures of popular piety: it is in this category that the Vatican considers blessing those who do not live according to the standards of Christian moral doctrine, but humbly ask for blessing.
It is worth noting that according to Catholic doctrine, only sexual relations in marriage between a man and a woman are considered permitted. The Church does not have the authority to bestow liturgical blessings on unresolved or same-sex couples.
The Vatican notes that there are various cases when people spontaneously come to ask for a blessing, whether during a pilgrimage, in sanctuaries or even on the street when meeting a priest. And such blessings are meant for everyone, because no one is an exception.
Previously, the Vatican allowed transgender people to be baptized, to be witnesses during weddings and to be godparents, provided that they lead a “life according to faith”.
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