In a new document released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith today, the Vatican has authorized the blessings of same-sex unions and irregular marriages. Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust) outlines a robust theology of blessing that is heavily informed by a pastoral spirit. The whole document is worth a read and talks about the importance of blessings outside those listed in the Book of Blessing. Likely of most interest to our readers are sections 38 through 40 of the document, which outline the form these blessings may take:
38. For this reason, one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation. At the same time, one should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing. In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue, and mutual assistance—but also God’s light and strength to be able to fulfill his will completely.
39. In any case, precisely to avoid any form of confusion or scandal, when the prayer of blessing is requested by a couple in an irregular situation, even though it is expressed outside the rites prescribed by the liturgical books, this blessing 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. The same applies when the blessing is requested by a same-sex couple.
40. Such a 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. Indeed, through these blessings that are given not through the ritual forms proper to the liturgy but as an expression of the Church’s maternal heart—similar to those that emanate from the core of popular piety—there is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness.
Interestingly, the document specifies that “no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details or practicalities regarding blessings of this type.”
It is clear that the goal of the Holy Father is to show the love and closeness of the Church to all people, so that “every brother and every sister will be able to feel that, in the Church, they are always pilgrims, always beggars, always loved, and, despite everything, always blessed.” This is a significant step that will help those in same-sex unions and irregular marriages feel heard and seen within the Church.