(Scypre.com) – Catholic priests can now give blessings to same-sex couples, and this change got the official thumbs up from Pope Francis.
A document released on Monday explains the new rule, saying that people who want God’s love and mercy shouldn’t have to go through a detailed moral check to get it, according to The Associated Press.
In October, Pope Francis wrote a letter to two conservative cardinals, suggesting that these blessings could happen in certain situations, as long as the people getting the blessing didn’t mix it up with the sacrament of marriage.
The church still believes that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. It says blessings shouldn’t be given during a civil union, with specific rituals, or with things related to weddings.
The Vatican’s doctrine office document states that requests for these blessings should not be turned down. It says, “A blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” and that asking for a blessing shows openness to God in different life situations. Pope Francis added, “It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”
The Vatican says the church needs to avoid strict rules and focus on evangelizing rather than analyzing and classifying people. It also emphasized that people in “irregular” relationships, whether gay or straight, are considered to be in a state of sin. However, this shouldn’t stop them from receiving God’s love and mercy.
“When people ask for a blessing, we shouldn’t demand a detailed moral analysis before giving it,” the document said. The Vatican has traditionally been against same-sex marriage. Reverend James Martin, a supporter of LGBTQ Catholics, is happy about the news. He said, “I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex unions, along with many other priests.”