The Vatican authorized for the first time, in an official document released this Monday (18), the blessing for same-sex couples, with the condition that it be carried out outside religious services, an unprecedented gesture for the Catholic Church, which continues firm in its opposition to same-sex marriage.
There is “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for same-sex couples, whose format should not find any ritual fixation on the part of ecclesiastical authorities, so as not to cause confusion with the blessing of the sacrament of marriage”, states the Dicastery document. for the Doctrine of Faith, approved by Pope Francis.
“This blessing will never take place at the same time as the civil rites of union, nor even in connection with them. Not even with the clothes, gestures or words typical of a wedding”, adds the text.
It is the first time that the Church has clearly paved the way for the blessing of same-sex couples, an issue that raises tensions within it due to strong opposition from the conservative wing, especially in the United States.
Despite not being recognized by the Holy See, some religious have already blessed same-sex couples, mainly in Belgium and Germany.
– “Great breakthrough” –
This decision “clarifies things because there was a void in this issue”, explains Patrick Vadrini, specialist in canon law and professor emeritus at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, to AFP.
“By defining broad general norms, the Church leaves it in the hands of those who have direct contact with people as the norm is applied. We adapt to people,” she adds.
American priest James Martin, known for his commitment to the LGBTQIA+ faithful, celebrated the decision on the social network X (formerly Twitter), stating that it will be a “great advance in the Ministry of the Church for the people of this community.
On the other hand, it could intensify the opposition of the traditional wing of the Church, at a time when criticism from conservatives about Pope Francis’ management is multiplying.
This statement comes six weeks after the conclusion of the Synod on the Future of the Catholic Church, a global consultative meeting in which bishops, women and lay people debated social issues such as acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people and divorced people remarrying.
In early October, five conservative cardinals publicly asked the pope to reaffirm Catholic doctrine on homosexual couples, but the synod’s final document did not include this issue.
In 2021, the Vatican reiterated its view that homosexuality is a “sin” and confirmed that same-sex couples cannot receive the sacrament of marriage.
Since his election in 2013, the Argentine Jesuit, who insists on the importance of a Church “open to all”, has repeatedly aroused the indignation of conservatives, especially for limiting the use of the traditional Latin Mass in 2021.