Vatican: no blessing for gay couples

Responding to efforts in some parts of the Catholic world to devise "blessings" of same-sex unions by the Church, the Vatican doctrinal watchdog released a statement on Monday stating that such blessings are "not legitimate", as the homosexual unions "are not". ordained to the plan of the Creator. "

“In some ecclesial contexts, projects and proposals for blessings of same-sex unions are being advanced,” says the document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "Such projects are not infrequently motivated by a sincere desire to welcome and accompany homosexual people, to whom paths of growth in the faith are proposed, 'so that those who manifest a homosexual orientation can receive the assistance they need to understand and will in their lives "."

The document, signed by Spanish Jesuit Cardinal Luis Ladaria and approved by Pope Francis, was released on Monday, along with an explanatory note clarifying that the statement comes in response to a question, also known as dubium, presented by pastors and faithful seeking clarification. and indications on an issue that could raise controversy.

The note adds that the purpose of the CDF's response is to "help the universal Church respond better to the demands of the Gospel, resolve disputes and promote healthy communion among the holy people of God".

The statement does not specify who posed the dubium, although there has been pressure in recent years for some sort of same-sex blessing ceremony in some corners. The German bishops, for example, have called for a debate on the blessing of gay couples.

The answer argues that blessings are "sacramental", so the Church "calls us to praise God, encourages us to beg for his protection, and urges us to seek his mercy through our holiness of life."

When a blessing is invoked on human relationships, it is said, in addition to the "right intention" of those who participate, it is necessary that what is blessed can be "objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the plans of God inscribed in the creation and completely revealed by Christ the Lord “.

So it is not "lawful" to bless same-sex relationships and unions

Therefore it is not "lawful" to bless relationships and unions which, although stable, involve sexual activity outside of marriage, in the sense that "the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in themselves to the transmission of life, as it is the case of same-sex unions. "

Even when there may be positive elements present in these relationships, “which are in themselves to be valued and appreciated”, they do not justify these relationships and do not make them the legitimate object of an ecclesial blessing.

If such blessings occur, says the CDF document, they cannot be considered "lawful" because, as Pope Francis wrote in his 2015 post-synodal exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia, there are "absolutely no reasons to consider being somehow similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and the family “.

The response also notes that the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “According to the teaching of the Church, men and women with homosexual tendencies' must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Any sign of unfair discrimination against them should be avoided "."

The note also says that the fact that these blessings are considered illegal by the Church is not meant to be a form of unjust discrimination, but a reminder of the very nature of sacramentals.

Christians are called to welcome people with homosexual inclinations "with respect and sensitivity", while being consistent with the teaching of the Church and proclaiming the Gospel in its fullness. At the same time, the Church is called to pray for them, to accompany them and to share their journey of Christian life.

The fact that gay unions cannot be blessed, according to the CDF, does not mean that gay individuals who express a willingness to live in faithfulness to God's revealed plans cannot be blessed. The document also says that although God never stops "blessing each of his pilgrim children", he does not bless sin: "He blesses the sinful man, so that he can recognize that it is part of his plan of love and allow himself to be changed by him. "