courtesy: Catholic News Agency
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Pope Francis has formally permitted priests to perform blessings for same-sex couples, a move that stops short of sanctioning same-sex marriages, but is still being herald by some LGBTQ+ advocates as historic.
The document obtained from the Vatican’s doctrine office on Monday reassures its previous statement that marriage remains sacrament between a man and a woman. However, it also states that the blessings towards the same-sex couple should not be denied, so long as the blessing is not conferred at the time as a civil union, using set rituals or with the clothing and gestures that are a part of a wedding.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis reacted to the Monday’s statement as she said, “the latest in a historic pattern of actions and announcements from Pope Francis which shows that LGBTQ people should not be used as a dividing issue, and we are worthy of love, respect and compassion.”
She continued that the Pope has accurately recognized the LGBTQ people by removing the barrier, and has affirmed that the LGBTQ relationships are worthy.