The Vatican approved the blessing of samesex couples for the first time; The approval does not change the marriage doctrine
Pastor Silas Malafaia criticized on Tuesday (December 19, 2023) the Vatican's decision to allow priests to bless samesex couples for the first time. In a video posted on social media, Malafaia said Pope Francis is a “hypocrite.”
“The Pope is a hypocrite and shames Catholics. He now authorizes priests and bishops to bless homosexual couples. The question is: Where in Christianity is there permission to sin or to bless sinful practices in the name of love? Nowhere,” he said.
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The Vatican's announcement regarding the blessing of samesex couples was made on Monday (December 18, 2023). The unprecedented decision was approved by Pope Francis and applies to socalled “irregular couples,” according to a statement published by Vatican News.
The Vatican Office of the Doctrine of the Faith document explaining the change contains some conditions. According to the text, blessings should not be given during regular church liturgies nor should they resemble a wedding ceremony.
“There are several occasions when people spontaneously come to ask for a blessing, whether on pilgrimages, in shrines or even on the street when they meet a priest, and such blessings are addressed to everyone, no one can be excluded “, he says.
The text also states that priests must decide on a casebycase basis and “may not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in all situations in which they seek God’s help through a simple blessing.”
The change does not mean that the Catholic Church recognizes the union between samesex couples, but it represents a “sign that God welcomes everyone,” according to the document.
On October 2, Francisco suggested the practice. The pope's statement came in response to five cardinals who expressed doubts in July on several issues, including the increasing practice of blessing samesex couples entering into relationships in Germany.