In December, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the
Faith, its department for Roman Catholic doctrine, said priests could bless
“irregular” and same-sex couples under certain circumstances.
That sparked an outcry in some quarters, particularly in
Africa, with critics accusing the Church of back-tracking on the issues of gay
marriage and homosexuality, both of which it opposes.
“These blessings… do not require moral perfection in order
to be received,” the pope said during an audience with members of the
dicastery.
“When a couple asks for it, it is not the union that is
blessed, but simply the people who together have asked for it,” he said.
“Not the union, but the people, naturally taking into
account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most
appropriate ways to do it,” Francis added.
The original declaration cautioned that priests could only
perform blessings for same-sex couples, divorcees, or unmarried couples in
“non-ritualised” contexts, and never in relation to weddings or civil unions.
Opposition to the Vatican’s move has been particularly
strong in Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia, as well as in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
It has also sparked criticism at the highest levels, with
Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, an influential figure in the conservative camp,
slamming the declaration as “heresy”.
Earlier this month, the dicastery defended itself, saying
the Church was “clear and definitive” about marriage – which it says can only
be between a man and a woman – and sexuality, with homosexuality considered a
sin.
But it urged “prudence and attention to the ecclesial
context and to the local culture” in applying the measure.
Since his election in 2013, 87-year-old Pope Francis has
insisted on opening the doors of the Church to all its faithful, including the
homosexual and LGBTQ communities.
But his efforts have met with strong resistance among its
traditional and conservative fringe.
AFP
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