A church official said the blessings amounted to ‘a real development’ that nevertheless did not amend ‘the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage.’
By Jason Horowitz, The New York Times
“Pope Francis has taken one of the most concrete steps in his efforts to make the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics by allowing priests to bless couples in same-sex relationships, the Vatican announced on Monday (Dec. 18).
“Priests have long blessed a wide variety of people, offering a prayer asking for God’s help and presence. But the Vatican has previously argued against blessing same-sex couples.
“The new rule was issued in a declaration by the church’s office on doctrine and introduced by its prefect, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who said that the declaration did not amend ‘the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage,’ because it allowed no liturgical rite that could be confused with the sacrament of marriage.”
By Jason Horowitz, The New York Times — Read more …
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