Pope Francis has approved a measure allowing Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.
A document released by the Vatican Monday titled “Fiducia Supplicans” says a blessing can be given in certain circumstances, so long as it’s not confused with the ritual of marriage.
The document adds it also can’t be part of a civil union ceremony or include gestures, clothing, or words associated with marriage.
The document reaffirms the church’s teaching that marriage is the lifelong union of a man and a woman.
However, it also states that people seeking a blessing from God “should not be required to have moral perfection.”
“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,” stated the Catholic Church leadership.
As CBN News reported, in October Pope Francis suggested there could be ways for the Roman Catholic Church to bless same-sex unions after responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching against homosexuality.
In that letter, Francis reiterated that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that the
The remainder of this article is available in its entirety at CBN