Pope Francis has approved a new addition to the Catholic Church's teachings that allows priests and cardinals to bless samesex couples. However, the new resolution emphasizes that the doctrine excludes “any ritualization that imitates marriage.”
The addition of the new teaching was previously mentioned in October, when the pope said he “sees the possibility” that the church will bless unions between people of the same sex. Francis decided to speak publicly on the issue after five cardinals criticized his stance, which was seen as overly progressive in relation to the LGBT+ population.
The Vatican emphasizes that the new teaching only opens up the possibility of blessing, but does not make it mandatory. The text refers to samesex partnerships as “irregular couples” and emphasizes that the pastoral gesture must not contain elements that even minimally resemble wedding rites.
In doctrine, the Church divides blessings into two types: liturgical and spontaneous blessings. The first includes religious rituals such as marriage, the holding of masses, novenas and other types of prayers. The second would be intended for moments of “reflection and reception” for those who do not live in accordance with the norms of Christian moral teaching.
“The Church has no authority to grant a liturgical blessing to irregular couples, as it is necessary that 'the blessed person be in accordance with God's will,'” an excerpt from the statement emphasizes.
The measure announced this Monday the 18th is part of Francisco's plan to prevent the Catholic Church from continuing to remain a place of “unwelcome” for other sections of society interested in Christianity.
In addition to the new doctrine, the pope also allowed the baptism of transgender Catholics if the act did not cause a “scandal.”