THE VATICAN, ROME – The Vatican, through a document from the Vatican’s doctrine office released on Monday, has announced Pope Francis’s formal approval of priests blessing same-sex couples.
The document, which elaborates on a preliminary response from Francis in October, emphasizes that individuals seeking God’s love and mercy should not undergo an exhaustive moral analysis to receive it. While reiterating the traditional view of marriage as a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman, the document specifies that blessings for same-sex couples should not mimic wedding rituals or coincide with civil unions.
It underscores that the blessing is a means for individuals to grow in trust in God and expresses openness to transcendence and mercy in various life circumstances.
The Vatican acknowledges that individuals in “irregular” unions, whether gay or straight, are considered in a state of sin but insists that this should not deprive them of God’s love or mercy.
The document criticizes doctrinal or disciplinary schemes that lead to a judgmental and authoritarian approach, emphasizing the importance of avoiding exhaustive moral analysis as a precondition for conferring blessings. This marks a significant shift in Vatican policy, signaling a more inclusive approach toward the LGBTQ+ community. The Associated Press is the source of this information.
