The Vatican's Official Approval of 'Blessings for Same-Sex Couples': Its Significance

Breaking Catholic Tradition, Allowing Blessings for Same-Sex Couples
'Historic Change' Praised but...
"Not a Doctrinal Revision, Just Expanding the Scope of Blessings"

Pope Francis has allowed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. While this is seen as a progressive stance breaking the tradition of condemning homosexual acts as sinful, the Catholic community is cautious about overinterpretation, stating that this is not a revision of traditional doctrine but an expansion of the scope of blessings.

In the doctrinal declaration titled "Fiducia supplicans," released by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the 18th (local time), a notable point is the expression that priests in the Catholic Church can also bless same-sex couples. Given the Vatican's previous rejection of homosexuality, this declaration is regarded as a historic change in the Catholic Church. The Congregation stated, "Blessings do not approve situations that violate all regulations, but signify that God welcomes everyone," and added, "The Church must not hinder or prevent access to those seeking God's help through simple blessings."

However, the doctrinal declaration specifies, "The Church should not define (the blessing of same-sex couples) as a ritual to avoid confusion with the formal blessing of the sacrament of marriage." It also stated, "Blessings are given to those seeking God's help, and God's love is expressed on a much greater scale."

It also included a caveat that "blessings for same-sex couples should not be conducted as part of the Church's official rites or during Mass and are different from the sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman." This means that the scope of blessings has been expanded without revising the Church's traditional doctrine, such as recognizing same-sex marriage itself.

Pope Francis is coughing while meeting believers during the Wednesday General Audience held at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on November 29 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

Cardinal V?ctor Manuel Fern?ndez, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who announced the declaration, said, "Expanding the scope of who can be blessed is a genuine development and a clear and groundbreaking contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessings," adding, "It is a decision based on His Holiness the Pope's pastoral vision."

Father Min Beom-sik, Director of the Public Relations Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, also said, "This declaration does not change the Catholic teachings or doctrine regarding marriage, sex, or same-sex couples," and added, "It is more appropriate to understand this as an expansion of the understanding of blessings, opening the possibility of blessings pastorally to those who seek them."

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has long stated that homosexual tendencies themselves are not sinful, but "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." Previously, in 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an official stance that it does not recognize or endorse same-sex unions and that such unions cannot be blessed. Pope Francis has emphasized the protection of the human rights of sexual minorities and homosexuals but has opposed same-sex unions and marriages. However, last October, he conveyed a somewhat softened position, stating that priests may bless same-sex unions at their discretion, provided that such unions are not confused with heterosexual marriage.