The Vatican Approves Blessings for Same-Sex Couples but Clarifies: "Not Recognition, Just Opens Possibility for Blessings"

"No Changes in Catholic Doctrine"

Father Min Beom-sik, director of the Public Relations Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, cautioned against overinterpreting Pope Francis's official declaration that same-sex couples can receive blessings from priests, stating that the Catholic Church's teaching on same-sex couples has not changed.

Father Min appeared on YTN NewsN News on the 19th and said, "This declaration does not change the Catholic teaching or doctrine regarding marriage, sex, or same-sex couples," adding, "The Church is taking special care in its documents to explain this so that no confusion or difficulties arise."

On December 25, 2022, Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the balcony of the Vatican City Apostolic Palace. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

He explained, "Until now, the Church has understood the act of blessing only within the liturgical context, and therefore taught that it could not bless same-sex couples and did not have the authority to do so," and added, "This declaration should be understood as expanding the understanding of blessing, opening the possibility of blessings as a pastoral consideration for those who request it."

He also explained the background of the proviso in the doctrinal declaration stating that "blessings for same-sex couples should not be conducted during the Church's official rites or Mass and are different from the sacrament of marriage between a man and a woman." He said, "The Church added such provisos to make clearer what it is communicating through this declaration," emphasizing, "the declaration continuously stresses that the fact that 'same-sex couples can be blessed' should not be misunderstood as a liturgical act of the Church, nor should it lead to any scandal or the misconception that the Church recognizes same-sex unions themselves."

The Holy See announced on the 18th (local time) in a declaration titled 'Fiducia supplicans' that Pope Francis officially approved the blessing of same-sex couples by Catholic priests. This is a historic decision overturning the Catholic tradition of rejecting homosexuality.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.