Vatican City: Pope Francis Hints at Possibility of Blessing Same-Sex Unions

Pope Francis has responded to a group of conservative cardinals by suggesting that there may be ways to bless same-sex unions and reaffirm church teaching on homosexuality. The Vatican published a letter from the Pope on July 11, in which he indicated that such blessings could be considered as long as they were not confused with sacramental marriage.

New Ways Ministry, an advocate for LGBTQ+ Catholics, hailed the letter as a significant step forward in welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals into the church. The Vatican has traditionally opposed gay marriage, but Francis has previously expressed support for civil laws that provide legal benefits to same-sex couples. Some Catholic priests in parts of Europe have even been blessing same-sex unions without facing Vatican reprimand.

The Pope’s response represents a reversal from the Vatican’s current official position. In a 2021 note, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the church could not bless gay unions because they were considered sinful. However, in his letter, Francis emphasized the importance of pastoral charity, patience, and understanding. He urged priests not to solely deny, reject, and exclude individuals and to discern whether certain forms of benediction, as requested by individuals, would transmit a mistaken conception of marriage.

While Francis reiterated that matrimony is a union between a man and a woman, he called for a case-by-case approach to addressing homosexual unions and blessings. He urged against turning pastoral charity into fixed norms or protocols, emphasizing the need for flexibility and discernment in each situation.

Executives from New Ways Ministry, like Francis DeBernardo, welcomed the Pope’s openness, stating that allowing pastoral ministers to bless same-gender couples is a recognition that the church acknowledges the existence of holy love between same-gender couples. LGBTQ+ Catholics view these recognitions as significant progress towards greater equality.

The group of five cardinals who challenged Francis on issues of church teaching in their letter published the material just before a major synod at the Vatican, where LGBTQ+ Catholics will be discussed. The cardinals, who are retired, are known for their conservative views and had previously questioned Francis in 2016 on his stance regarding divorced and remarried couples receiving Communion. Despite their dissatisfaction with the Pope’s response, the Vatican published his reply to them shortly after.