Priests can bless same-sex unions, pope says

Pope Francis on Monday formally authorized priests to bless same-sex unions, marking a significant change from the Vatican’s longstanding position on alternate blessings for gay couples.

The Vatican’s announcement follows a letter released in October from Francis to two conservative cardinals, in which the church leader suggested such blessings could be studied as long they are not confused with sacramental marriage.

In a new document released Monday, the Vatican’s doctrine reiterated the church’s belief that the sacrament of marriage is exclusive between a man and a woman and emphasized blessings cannot be thought of as the same as a civil union.

The meaning of blessings, however, can be broadened, the document stated. Those seeking a blessing should not be required to hold “prior moral perfection,” the document argued, and it stressed that while those in “irregular” unions are in a state of sin, they should not be denied God’s grace and love.

“Indeed, the grace of God works in the lives of those who do not claim to be righteous but who acknowledge themselves humbly as sinners, like everyone else,” the document said, adding later, “Therefore, with its untiring wisdom and motherly care, the Church welcomes all who approach God with humble hearts, accompanying them with those spiritual aids that enable everyone to understand and realize God’s will fully in their existence.”

The document noted the church’s liturgy is encouraging an adoption of this “trusting attitude,” and stated priests should be prepared to perform blessings “spontaneously” that are not found in the Catholic Church’s Book of Blessings.

“God never turns away anyone who approaches him! Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document stated. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.”

The Vatican’s document stressed blessings must never stop being “simple gestures,” and cannot include set rituals, clothing and traditions typically used in a wedding ceremony.

The Vatican’s position has been that the church is not allowed to bless gay unions because “God cannot bless sin.” Francis, however, has previously expressed support for civil laws that would provide protections for same-sex couples.