The text entitled “Fiducia supplicans” (German: The suppliant trust) emphasizes that confusion with marriage must be discarded. A cleric is also not authorized to give the blessing during a religious service. The religious authority's statement was released at the Vatican on Monday in several languages, including German. It is signed by the Prefect of the Faith Authority, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, and was expressly approved by Pope Francis.
Literally, the letter states that “the possibility of blessing couples in an irregular situation and same-sex couples” in its form “cannot be determined ritually by ecclesiastical authorities so as not to cause confusion with the blessing inherent in the sacrament of marriage.”
“Expanded Understanding of Blessing”
In the text of the authority, Fernández emphasizes that the Church has “expanded and enriched” its understanding of what a blessing is in light of Pope Francis’ pastoral ideals.
With this more developed understanding of blessing, it is possible to bless “undocumented couples and same-sex couples without officially validating their status (convalidar = validating a marriage that is invalid according to Catholic canon law; note) or the consistent teaching of the Church on “To change marriage in some way”.
The letter explicitly explains that the religious authority's statement of February 22, 2021, which fundamentally excluded the blessings of same-sex couples, will now be further developed. At that time, the Vatican's religious authority announced that blessings for homosexual couples were not possible in the Catholic Church.
No confusion with church wedding
According to current Catholic teaching, it is not a sin to have homosexual feelings. However, intimate acts between people of the same sex are “not intrinsically right.” The expression of sexuality is reserved for marriage, which can only be celebrated between a man and a woman.
At the same time, the document emphasizes that Catholic clergy, who are now authorized to pronounce such blessings, must avoid any confusion with religious marriage. The Catholic teaching that sexual union is only permitted in marriage between a man and a woman remains unchanged. The blessing should also not occur in a religious service setting, because such a liturgical blessing would presuppose that the blessed connection corresponds to God's plan in his creation.
Difference between blessing and sacrament
However, receiving a blessing outside of religious worship does not require the same moral requirements as receiving a sacrament. Anyone who asks for a blessing “shows that they need the saving presence of God in their history”.
The text goes on to say that people living together in a relationship outside of marriage can ask that “all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and relationships” be encouraged by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The document advises not to formalize such blessings, but to leave them to practical discernment in each situation. In this prayer of blessing, a pastor could mention all that is good and legitimate in a relationship; such as peace, health, patience and mutual assistance.