Pope Francis has given Catholic priests permission to bless same-sex couples.
According to a document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office, published on Monday, the 87-year-old pope says that allowing same-sex couples to be blessed “is like an expression of the motherly heart of the Church.”
The announcement comes two months after the pope’s first response to questions formally submitted by five cardinals on the issue, in which he indicated he would be open to some Catholic priests blessing same-sex unions.
“God never rejects the one who approaches him!” it is stated in the document. “Ultimately, the blessing offers people a way to increase their trust in God. … It is the seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured and not hindered.”
Pope Francis appoints the first women to the commission that elects bishops: ‘Things are opening up’
However, the document emphasizes that any “rites and prayers that could create confusion between what constitutes marriage… and what is contrary to it are inadmissible.”
In the declaration, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández stated that the new rule does not change the “traditional doctrine of the Church on marriage” and does not allow liturgical rites that resemble the sacrament of marriage.
The document states that the declaration aims to enable those seeking blessings to “open their lives to God, to ask for his help to live better” and to live with greater faithfulness.
“The Church welcomes all those who approach God with humble hearts, accompanying them with those spiritual aids that enable everyone to understand and fully realize God’s will in their existence,” the text reads.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Reverend James Martin is among them praising the decisionwhich he described on social media as “a great step forward in the church’s ministry to LGBTQ people and recognizes the deep desire of many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence in their loving relationships.”
Pope Francis says Cancel Culture ‘leaves no room for freedom of expression’
The Pope previously made headlines in October 2020 when he declared his support for civil unions for same-sex couples in comments featured in a documentary Francesco.
Next year, in March 2021, the Vatican said the Catholic community should accept gay people with “respect and sensitivity”, although their marriages and unions will not receive the same response.
In July 2023, he told The Associated Press that laws criminalizing homosexuality were “unjust,” adding, “We are all God’s children and God loves us just the way we are.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education