ROME – After Pope Francis earlier this year opened the door in certain circumstances to giving blessings to same-sex couples, the Vatican’s doctrinal office has published a lengthy note explaining the pastoral grounds for these blessings, and spelling out the details of how and where they are to be given.
The new declaration, titled “Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings”, was dated and published 18 December by the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the dicastery’s secretary, Father Armando Matteo.
The declaration offers an overview of scriptural references to blessings as well as a theological and pastoral reflection on the nature of blessings, highlighting the benefit of “a more pastoral approach” to blessings being promoted by Pope Francis.
