The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize blessings of same-sex unions, according to a ruling from the Church’s doctrinal office.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) responded to queries from several dioceses about the permissibility of the practice and responded that it was not allowed.
The Catholic Church does not permit same-sex marriages to be conducted under its rites, but some dioceses have allowed priests to perform blessing ceremonies on same-sex unions. These had an ambivalent attitude to Church doctrine.
The CDF’s ruling was endorsed by Pope Francis. He said that it was ‘not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite’. Catholicism includes very strict and specific views on marriage, devoting much of its canon law to the institution. The CDF’s decision represented an affirmation of this.
Traditionally minded Catholics will be heartened by this decision and the papal stance, although their reform-minded counterparts have expressed disappointment.
Depending on perspective, the current papacy has been seen as a capitulation to modern fashion or a breath of fresh air. Pope Francis has seemed willing to signal sympathy for change without directly committing himself to it. In 2013, he memorably said ‘Who am I to judge?’ in relation to homosexual people in the Church.
As legal recognition of same-sex relationships has gained ground in the past two decades, many religious bodies have had to confront demands for change in their approach to the issue.