In a groundbreaking shift in policy, Pope Francis formally approved the Vatican's decision to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, AP reports.

The move, announced on Monday, reflects an effort to foster inclusivity within the Church while maintaining its existing prohibition on gay marriage.

While celebrated by some as a step towards reducing discrimination, LGBTQ+ advocates caution that it may perpetuate the notion that same-sex partnerships are still regarded as inferior within the Church.

The Vatican's doctrinal office released a document expanding on a letter from Pope Francis to two conservative cardinals, published in October.

The letter hinted at the possibility of offering blessings to same-sex couples under specific circumstances, emphasizing that such blessings should not be confused with the sacrament of marriage.

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Differentiating Between Ritual and Informal Blessings

The Vatican's document draws a clear distinction between "ritual and liturgical" blessings and those that are informal and spontaneous.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the prefect, states in the document's introduction that the declaration remains steadfast in the Church's traditional doctrine on marriage, preventing any liturgical rites or blessings resembling marriage ceremonies, according to NPR.

According to the directive, priests are instructed to refrain from giving blessings connected to civil union ceremonies or any elements associated with weddings, such as attire, gestures, or specific words.

Instead, the document suggests suitable settings for such blessings, including meetings with a priest or visits to shrines.

Blessings may be granted to same-sex couples and others in "irregular situations," such as divorced and remarried couples without annulments.

The document clarifies that this does not legitimize their status but allows the Holy Spirit to enrich, heal, and elevate the true, good, and humanly valid aspects of their lives.

The document affirms Pope Francis's ongoing efforts to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church.

The pope's previous statements, such as "Who am I to judge?" and acknowledging that being homosexual is not a crime, have set him apart from his predecessors.

Potential Opposition and Concerns

Conservatives are expected to oppose Monday's ruling, criticizing the pope for his earlier comments on the matter in October, Reuters noted.

Ulrich L. Lehner, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, expressed concern that the new guidance from the doctrinal office could lead to confusion and be misused by some bishops, potentially sparking a schism.

The document, titled "Fiducia Supplicans" (Supplicating Trust) in Latin, states that the form of the blessing should not be rigidly defined by ecclesial authorities to prevent confusion with the sacrament of marriage.

It allows for the blessing to be bestowed upon those who do not assert a legitimation of their own status but seek enrichment, healing, and elevation of what is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and relationships through the Holy Spirit.

Emphasizing that a blessing serves to deepen people's trust in God, the document underscores the importance of nurturing rather than hindering this process.

It specifies that the blessing should not be tied to or coincide with a civil marriage ceremony and must avoid any elements associated with a wedding, such as clothing, gestures, or words.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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