In a groundbreaking departure from traditional doctrine, Pope Francis formally authorized Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples on Monday, signaling a significant shift in the Church’s stance towards LGBTQ+ individuals. 

According to a Vatican document approved by the pope, such blessings are permissible as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies and not conducted simultaneously with a civil union.

This latest ruling builds upon the pope’s initial openness to blessing same-sex couples announced in October, contrasting with a 2021 Vatican decree that prohibited such blessings, citing the belief that God “cannot bless sin.” 

Notably, since July 2023, the doctrine department has been under the leadership of Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, an Argentine prelate and ally of Pope Francis, who has advocated a more inclusive approach.

The declaration emphasizes that an exhaustive moral analysis should not be a prerequisite for conferring a blessing, stating that the grace of God works in the lives of those who humbly acknowledge themselves as sinners. 

While leaving decisions to the discernment of ordained ministers, the ruling opens “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex.”

Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest supported by Francis, hailed the decision as a “huge step forward in the church’s ministry to same-sex couples,” marking a notable departure from the Vatican’s 2021 stance. 

The pope’s efforts to reshape the Church’s approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics began in 2013, and this latest move underscores his commitment to a more inclusive and compassionate stance, despite facing opposition from a vocal minority within the Church.

#MaltaDaily