On 18 December 2023, Vatican News announced Doctrinal declaration opens possibility to bless couples in irregular situations. In summary, “[w]ith the Declaration “Fiducia supplicans” issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis, it will be possible to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritualization or offering the impression of a marriage. The doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing does not signify approval of the union”.
“When two people request a blessing, even if their situation as a couple is ‘irregular’, it will be possible for the ordained minister to consent. However, this gesture of pastoral closeness must avoid any elements that remotely resemble a marriage rite.
“The document explores the theme of blessings, distinguishing between ritual and liturgical ones, and spontaneous ones more akin to signs of popular devotion. It is precisely in this second category there is now consideration of the possibility of welcoming even those who do not live according to the norms of Christian moral doctrine but humbly request to be blessed. 23 years have passed since the former ‘Holy Office’ published a Declaration (the last one was in August 2000 with ‘Dominus Jesus‘), a document of such doctrinal importance”.
Extracts from the Vatican News item are reproduced below [emphasis added], and Part III: Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex, is covered in more detail in a later post.
Introduction and Part I: The Blessing in the Sacrament of Marriage
“Fiducia supplicans” begins (paragraphs 1 to 6) with the introduction by the prefect, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, who explains that the Declaration considers the ‘pastoral meaning of blessings’, allowing ‘a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding’ through a theological reflection ‘based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis’”.
Part II: The Meaning of the Various Blessings
“A second extensive part of the Declaration (paragraphs 7-30) analyzes the meaning of different blessings, whose recipients are people, objects of worship, and places of life. It is recalled that ‘from a strictly liturgical point of view’, the blessing requires that what is blessed be conformed to God’s will, as expressed in the teachings of the Church’”.
“There are “several occasions when people spontaneously ask for a blessing, whether on pilgrimages, at shrines, or even on the street when they meet a priest and these blessings “are meant for everyone; no one is to be excluded from them” (paragraph 28).
“While it is not appropriate to establish “procedures or rituals” for such cases, the ordained minister may join in the prayer of those persons who “although in a union that cannot be compared in any way to a marriage, desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy, to invoke his help, and to be guided to a greater understanding of his plan of love and of truth” (paragraph 30).
Part III: Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex
“The third part of the Declaration (paragraphs 31-41) opens then to the possibility of these blessings that represent a sign for those who “recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help—do not claim a legitimation of their own status, but who beg that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit” (paragraph 31).
“Also clarified is that to avoid “any form of confusion or scandal,” that when a couple in an irregular situation or same-sex couples ask for a blessing, it “should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them. Nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding” (paragraph. 39). This kind of blessing “may instead find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a group, or during a pilgrimage” (paragraph 40).
Part IV: The Church is the Sacrament of God’s Infinite Love
“What has been said in this Declaration regarding the blessings of same-sex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and fatherly discernment of ordained ministers in this regard. Thus, beyond the guidance provided above, no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details or practicalities regarding blessings of this type” (paragraph 41).
“In conclusion, the fourth chapter (paragraphs 42-45) recalls that ‘even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God’ and desiring a blessing “can be the possible good in some situations” (paragraph 43).
Comment
There are parallels to be drawn with the decision of the online meeting of the House of Bishops of the Church of England on 12 December 2023 which confirmed its earlier decision to commend the Prayers of Love and Faith resources for use in regular public worship, and agreed that this should take effect from Sunday 17 December 2023. The motions approved were:
- ‘That this House, having agreed at its meeting of 9 October to commend the PLF Resource Section (‘PLF RS’) for use in the minster’s discretion under Canon B 5, now resolve that the PLF RS be commended with effect from 17 December 2023 and published accordingly.’
- ‘That this House, having agreed at its meeting of 9 October to commend the Prayers for a Covenanted Friendship for use in the minster’s discretion under Canon B 5, now resolve that the Prayers for a Covenanted Friendship be commended with effect from 17 December 2023 and published accordingly.’