Pope Francis has officially approved allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples under one condition: blessings are not to be confused with marriage.
On Monday, the Vatican announced this landmark ruling which is recognized as a radical change in policy, a major stride when it comes to inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
The Vatican issued a document laying out the conditions of this new ruling, which states that Roman Catholic priests can authorize blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies and are not to be confused with civil unions or weddings. This is in keeping with its strict ban on gay marriage.
The document reaffirms that marriage is a lifelong union shared between a man and a woman and thus, blessings cannot be associated with any specific Catholic celebration or religious service. Blessings also cannot involve clothing, language or gestures that suggest a marriage ceremony.
“It is precisely in this context that one can understand the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage,” the document read.
The document is an extension of an earlier letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October where he mentioned the possibility of blessings being offered to same-sex couples.
“There is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness,” the document emphasized.
Essentially, the blessing is about encouraging people to trust in God and strengthen their relationship with him and the Holy Spirit, regardless if their relationship is “clouded by sin,” as the document states.
This historic move comes from a pope who has been unexpectedly outspoken when it comes to his support for 2SLGBTQ+ Catholics, compared to bishops before him. In 2013, he commented “Who am I to judge?” in regards to the sexual orientation of priests and most recently, he said, “Being homosexual is not a crime,” in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press (AP) at the beginning of the year.
REACTION FROM 2SLGBTQ+ ADVOCATES
Although some see the policy as a progressive move for the Catholic Church, some 2SLGBTQ+ advocates say it still reinforces the idea that gay couples are inferior to heterosexual partnerships.
Here at home, 2SLGBTQ+ organizations, such as Pride Toronto, welcome the decision, but says that this policy still heavily implies that same-sex couples and heterosexual couples are not equal.
“It definitely sends the wrong message still because again, what it is saying is that, you as a same sex couple is not valued the same. Their relationship is not valued the same. But we know that we did not get where we are overnight, and I think this gives us an opportunity now to be able to continue the fight,” Pride Toronto Executive Director Kojo Sherwin Modeste said in an interview with Now Toronto on Tuesday.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to fight. It’s unfortunate that 2023 is almost over and the 2SLGBTQ community is still fighting. So, unfortunately yes, it is. It is definitely separating them and creating a division amongst human beings. ” Modeste added.
Modeste says the goal is for same-sex couples to be treated equally as any other couple, not just in the Vatican but amongst all faith groups and across all levels of government. Though this policy is a development in 2SLGBTQ+ rights and is a win for queer individuals of Catholic faith, it remains solely that, a small victory in the fight.
“It’s a win, but it is not the ultimate win. The fight continues,” Modeste said.
Similarly, the 519, a charitable organization in Toronto committed to the health and livelihood of the 2SLGBTQ+ community believes the blessing only provides minimal relief.
“For too long, religion has been weaponized against 2SLGBTQ+ communities who simply wish to demonstrate their love for their partner and receive equal treatment in the eyes of the law and society,” the 519 said in a statement to Now Toronto on Tuesday.
“The intersection of queerness and faith is a beautiful and delicate experience. While a blessing may offer comfort to some, it does not define the validity of a marriage between 2SLGBTQ+ people. Coexistence isn’t enough – we must together seek acceptance and love free of discrimination,” it continued.
