Couples in "irregular situations" and same-sex couples can be blessed. The declaration comes from the Vatican and precisely from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Which clarifies: the blessing comes from God "on those who, recognizing themselves as destitute and in need of his help, do not claim the legitimation of their own status". Green light therefore for the blessing "not included in a liturgical rite", a line that was anticipated by Pope Francis in response to some "dubia" in October.
For the first time, precise indications arrive on the blessings of homosexual couples which some dioceses in the world have already cleared through customs but spontaneously without the rules that are instead established by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez in the Declaration "Fiducia supplicans". Within the established limits - blessings outside the liturgy and not to be confused with a wedding - the Vatican therefore clearly approves the blessings for gay couples. The Dicastery for the Faith explains that «a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation must neither be promoted nor foreseen, but neither must the closeness of the Church be prevented or prohibited in every situation in which the help of God through a simple blessing. In the short prayer that can precede this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask for peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue and mutual help for them, but also the light and strength of God to be able to fully carry out his will" .
The Argentine Prefect continues: «In any case, precisely to avoid any form of confusion or scandal, when the prayer of blessing, although expressed outside the rites foreseen by the liturgical books, is requested by a couple in an irregular situation, this the blessing will never be carried out at the same time as the civil union rites or even in relation to them. Not even with clothes, gestures or words typical of a wedding. The same applies when the blessing is requested by a same-sex couple."
«This blessing can instead find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a sanctuary, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a group or during a pilgrimage». With these blessings "we do not intend to legitimize anything but only to open one's life to God, ask for his help to live better, and also invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel can be lived with greater fidelity". The Prefect believes that this series of examples is "sufficient to guide the prudent and paternal discernment of ordained ministers in this regard" and therefore "in addition to the indications above, we must therefore not wait for other answers on possible ways to regulate details or aspects practical about blessings of this kind."
(Unioneonline/ss)