Pope Francis Approves Same-Sex Marriage With Condition | National Reporters

By Oche Alechenu

On Monday, the head of the Vatican has granted authorisation and  blessings for same-sex couples but simply emphasised that these blessings should not be established as a Catholic Doctrine and should not be associated with civil unions or wedding as one may thinks.

Following the approval through  a document by Pope Francis, the Vatican has legalized "the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex".

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In a quote speculating, "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," it is noted.

Moreso, the documents does not change the Catholic Church's stance on same-sex marriages or unions. The Church insists marriage is only between a man and a woman, to bear children.

"This blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them," the document stressed.

The superior of the Vatican's faith department, which wrote the document, was quoted in an introduction as saying it was "a broadening and enrichment" of the Vatican's stance on blessings, "based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis," who wants a Church open to all.

It is also recalls during 2021, the Vatican said the Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions because God cannot "bless sin".

By Monday it is well captured as upheld that, "To avoid any form of confusion or scandal", blessings for same-sex couples cannot be "performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding".

"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," it said.