The Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions, the Vatican said Monday, saying it is “not permissible” to bless relationships involving sexual activity outside of marriage.
The decision was issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in response to a question as to whether the church has the “power to bless the unions of persons of the same sex.
The answer was ‘negative’ and further elaborated in an accompanying exposition published in seven languages and approved by Pope Francis.
It made clear that the church ‘should welcome people with homosexual tendencies with respect and sensitivity’, but says that ‘the presence in such relationships of positive elements, which in themselves should be appreciated and appreciated, can not justify these relationships and legalize it. objects can not make of a church blessing. ”
The statement also states that the ruling does not exclude the blessings given to individuals with ‘homosexual tendencies’.
It was not clear in the document published Monday who asked the original question.
However, the topic is given in time because it is currently being discussed by Catholic clergy in the West, said Massimo Faggioli, a professor of religious studies at Villanova University.
“This is an important document because it shows how far Pope Francis is willing to go and where he wants to stop,” Faggioli said.
“It is very difficult for me to imagine the practical consequences of the document, and I do not know what will happen to a priest who wants to bless some of the same sex.”
The ruling comes after a documentary released in October showed how Francis offers support to same-sex civil unions. The Vatican later made it clear that his comments were out of context, although this confirmed Francis’ conviction that gay couples should enjoy legal protection.