TRANSCRIPT. "We are recognized and accepted as we are" : the joy of homosexual couples after the blessing by Pope Francis

The Pope recently approved a Dicastery Declaration of Faith allowing the blessing of “irregular couples.” This affects divorced and remarried couples as well as homosexual people in relationships.

Published on December 24, 2023 07:45

Reading time: 1 min

Wedding ceremony (illustration), in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), June 15, 2013. (PATRICK HERTZOG / AFP)

Samuel is 50 years old, he lives in a civil partnership but is not yet married: “For faithful Catholics, the fact that same-sex couples can receive a blessing is still an absolutely incredible step forward,” he says. Realize we are accepted for who we are, namely as people who love each other and are of the same gender. There are many bishops and cardinals in the Curia who are absolutely against it, who are disgusted. So that comes from the top, I think it’s huge.”

In order to avoid confusion with marriage, the text approved by Pope Francis on December 18th stipulates a number of conditions. Therefore, these blessings must take place “outside the liturgical framework,” that is, outside the times dedicated to masses. They must never take place on the same day as the civil wedding, nor with the gestures, words and clothing typical of marriage. “If we have to do it in jeans, we’ll do it in jeans,” replies Samuel.

Even if he admits that he finds these conditions strange. “I think these are signals sent to the hard and conservative wing of the church. But basically we know what that means. We will be able to give blessings, and I think gay couples will do that when they get married.”

Blessing already practiced

Furthermore, these blessings have long been practiced unofficially. This is the case in the church of Saint-Eustache in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, where the largest organ in France is tuned before the two evening masses. Father Jacques Mérien, retired priest, explains: “I personally received the authorization just given by the Dicastery from my Bishop more than 50 years ago. The fact that it has been made official and universal is what makes it so.” It is possible to reduce the differences and margins so that a Catholic public opinion can gradually come to terms with this situation.

Nevertheless, Jacques Mérien believes that it will take a long time to change the mentality of Catholics in the world.