Catholic priests in Meghalaya to bless same-sex couples without marriage rites
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Shillong: The Catholic Church in Meghalaya has announced a significant change, permitting its priests to bestow blessings upon same-sex couples, following Pope Francis's recent approval of such blessings.
The declaration, known as 'Fiducia Supplicans' and sanctioned by Pope Francis, introduces a shift within the Catholic Church structure in the northeastern state, which boasts a population of over 10 lakhs.
Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh of Shillong explained, "The Catholic Church has issued the declaration approved by Pope Francis, allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples without any form of ceremony resembling a marriage rite." He emphasised that these blessings would consist of spontaneous prayers by the priest, devoid of any indication of approval for the union. The declaration stresses the pastoral significance of these blessings.
However, the Archbishop cautioned against misconstruing these blessings as official liturgical or ritual blessings performed during marriages within the Church. He underlined the distinction to clarify that these blessings do not represent the Church's official stance on marriage rituals.
This significant change in the Catholic Church's approach comes after a recent Vatican announcement, approved by Pope Francis, allowing Roman Catholic priests to bestow blessings upon same-sex couples. The Vatican's doctrinal office clarified that while such blessings wouldn't validate "irregular" situations, they would serve as a sign of God's acceptance for all individuals.
The document outlined that priests should exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis and not restrict the Church's support for individuals seeking God's guidance through a simple blessing.
Pope Francis hinted at an imminent change in October, following inquiries from conservative cardinals at the Vatican's synod of bishops. While the response in October was more nuanced, Monday's eight-page document explicitly addressed specific situations, including blessings for same-sex couples.
The Catholic Church's doctrine distinguishes between same-sex attraction, which is not considered sinful, and homosexual acts, which are deemed so. Since assuming the papacy in 2013, Pope Francis has endeavored to foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church without altering the moral doctrine regarding same-sex activities.