Joel Rodrigues / Agência Brasília
The Vatican has released a response to the latest directive on blessing couples in situations considered illegal by the church, such as samesex unions.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterated and emphasized the Church's position on marriage These blessings do not advocate lifestyles that contradict Catholic teachings.
He presented an example of how a pastoral blessing can be given in a respectful and welcoming manner, emphasizing the need for it pastoral sensitivity, particularly in contexts where homosexuality is criminalized.
The cardinal explained that these blessings, brief and nonritualized, are aimed at this express God's love and care for everyonewithout causing confusion or advocating situations that deviate from Church teachings.
This clarification comes in response to mixed reactions from bishops around the world and is intended to provide guidance to priests in the pastoral application of this directive while respecting Catholic teaching and the diversity of local contexts.
About Fiducia Supplicans
The Vatican directive Fiducia Supplicansthat sparked the controversy was never intended to bless unions that deviate from Catholic teaching.
O Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that marriage is one sacrament ordained for the salvation of others and plays a vital role in the edification of God's people (Paragraph 1534). This understanding reinforces the Church's traditional view of marriage, which is aligned with the basic principles of the faith.
The controversy arose due to wild interpretations about whether the policy could be viewed as an endorsement of samesex unions, which would be contrary to church teaching. The Vatican's clarification was therefore aimed at reaffirming the commitment to Catholic teaching and at the same time making offers a sensitive and integrative pastoral approach.
The Catechism also highlights that decisions such as Christ's election of the Twelve Apostles shape church practice, including the nonordination of women (1577). This example shows the Church's respect for its traditions and teachings and underlines the importance of maintaining doctrinal coherence, even when it comes to complex and sensitive issues such as the blessing of couples in irregular situations.