Pope Francis has officially allowed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples on the morning of December 18. This marks a significant development for the LGBTQ+ community, due to the Catholic Church’s especially conservative values and traditions. The announcement, detailed in a document from the Vatican, provides specific conditions under which priests can offer blessings to same-sex couples.
While the document marks a significant step forward, it does not change the Church’s foundational stance on marriage only between one man and one woman. Notably, the announcement allows for a nuanced approach from priests, allowing them to extend blessings to LGBTQ+ individuals, only should they choose to do so, without changing the principles used and maintained by the Catholic Church for centuries.
The document was introduced by the prefect of the Church, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández. He emphasized that it remains “firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church” regarding marriage, and stated the importance of Pope Francis’s vision in broadening the appeal of the Catholic Church. The new guidelines, he said, would allow priests to bless relationships that are still considered sinful, aligning with the Pope’s commitment to inclusivity. Those seeking a blessing “should not be required to have prior moral perfection,” the declaration read.
Perhaps to reflect and reinforce in the Church’s attempt to extend a welcoming gesture to the LGBTQ+ community without altering the Church’s conservative stance, the document explicitly states that blessings for same-sex couples should not be part of regular Church rituals, and they must not be associated with civil unions or weddings.
Pope Francis had hinted at this development in October, expressing openness to having the Church bless same-sex couples. The recent decision, however, represents a significant shift from the Pope’s statement in 2021, where he asserted that priests could not bless same-sex marriages because God cannot “bless sin.”
The declaration emphasizes that priests have the discretion to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to offer blessings. This individualized approach reflects the Pope’s commitment to a more inclusive Church while acknowledging that the decision does not validate the status of same-sex couples within the Catholic Church. It also allows for more autonomy for the church’s priests, which could avoid angering more conservative members of the Church who may not agree with the decision.
This unusual decision has been met with a range of responses. LGBTQ+ advocates and individuals have expressed joy and gratitude, viewing the decision as a step toward greater inclusivity within the Catholic Church. In an interview with USA Today, Meli Barber, a social worker and president of the advocacy organization DignityUSA, welcomed the news, expressing hope for future validation of her marriage in the Church.
However, conservative voices within the Church, particularly traditionalists, have voiced discontent. Some consider the decision a departure from established doctrine, especially as it is a departure from even Pope Francis’ past statements. The Vatican’s emphasis on case-by-case discretion for priests has led to varied interpretations, with some expressing concerns about potential divisions within the Church.
