In a paper presented on Monday by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faiththe Vatican opens the possibility of blessing same-sex couples in an irregular situation.

The prefect of the congregation, Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, explained that experts were consulted and a draft was discussed in the Congress of the Doctrinal Section of the Dicastery. In addition to the talks with Pope Francis, a statement was drawn up that the Argentine priest approved.

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This is how, through the responses of the holy Father two cardinals found that the Church’s traditional teaching on marriage remains steadfast and “does not allow any form of liturgical rite or blessing that resembles a liturgical rite and that could cause confusion.”

Fernández clarifies that the recent document also makes an innovative contribution on the pastoral meaning of blessings. In this way the possibility is offered to bless couples in irregular situations and couples of the same sex “without officially their status and do not in any way alter the Church’s eternal teaching on marriage.”

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The Catholic Church’s statement makes several points, the most important of which are: