Pope authorises blessings for same-sex couples

Pope Francis

Pope authorises blessings for same-sex couples

The Vatican on Monday approved blessings for same-sex couples, a hugely contested issue in the Catholic Church, as long as they are not in contexts related to civil unions or weddings.

In a document approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations (including unmarried couples or divorcees) and for couples of the same sex”.

“One should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing,” it said.

But the document, published by the Vatican’s faith department, does not change the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex marriages or unions.

It reiterates the long-held position that marriage is between only a man and a woman, for the purpose of having children — and says no blessings should be given that confuse the issue.

“This blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them,” the document said.

But it is the first time the Vatican has opened the way so clearly to the blessing of same-sex couples, which has been a source of tension within the Church.

A blessing, generally carried out by a priest, consists of invoking God’s benevolence on a person.