On the Blessing of People In Same-Sex Relationships

In his mystery of love, through Christ, God communicates to his Church the power to bless . . . The blessing expresses God’s merciful embrace and the Church’s motherhood, which invites the faithful to have the same feelings as God towards their brothers and sisters.

Fiducia Supplicans (19)

In the early part of last year, two Cardinals published a series of questions challenging the orthodoxy and appropriateness of some of Pope Francis’ writings and actions. Perhaps the most controversial of these Dubia (as they are known) concerned the blessing of persons in same-sex unions, which the Cardinals claimed was contrary to “revealed doctrine.” In his response, Francis noted that while the Church continues to understand marriage as an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman,” such an understanding does not exclude the possibility that people in same-sex relationships might be blessed by the Church. Responding to the Cardinals, Francis said, “in our dealings with people, we must not lose pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes. The defense of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot become judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.” Thus, the Pope noted that, while the Church might not be able to sanction or ritually solemnize same-sex unions, the blessing of those in such unions—as an act of tenderness and encouragement—sits well within the pastoral tradition of the Church and the practice of Jesus.

Still facing questions about the “orthodoxy” of this response, however, on December 18, 2023, the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with Francis’ approval, issued a formal declaration on the pastoral meaning of blessings, entitled Fiducia Supplicans. This declaration seeks to expand on the pastoral theology and practice alluded to by Pope Francis in his response to the Dubia, and also seeks to recognize the expansive history of blessings in Scripture and tradition. Though always part of liturgical and sacramental rites—by which the Church celebrates what conforms to God’s will, as understood in the teachings of the Church—blessings can also be found outside of sacramental or ritual celebrations. 

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s blessings descend, and human blessings (often in the form of thanksgivings) ascend in a constant way, regardless of ritual. Likewise, blessings not only descend or ascend, they also extend the grace of love of humans for one another, as they invoke God’s care for those they love: e.g., parents bless their children, friends bless friend, those remaining bless those about to depart, etc. All of these show the gift given by God to the Church—i.e., the People of God—to invoke the power of the divine upon those for whom the Church cares, and who seek God’s saving presence. And while some blessings—as in cases of Sacramental celebration or consecration—may involve some kind of examination of the conscience and consent of the one to be blessed, the vast majority of blessings sought and given carry with them no investigation, since they entrust the one blessed to the goodness of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.

In approving, therefore, the blessing of people in situations that are “irregular” (i.e., not recognized by Church teaching)—including LGBTQ people in same sex unions—Francis seeks not to change the Church’s teaching on marriage (as some fear and others hope), but to recognize that many of those in such relationships desire God’s help in discerning and living as the Spirit of God guides them. Believing that such blessings are pastorally appropriate, offering “an invitation to draw ever closer to the love of Christ,” Francis hopes to support and encourage the faith-journey of LGBTQ Catholics, assuring them of the love of God and of the Church. As Fiducia Supplicans puts it “a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God. The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live. It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”

As has been seen in the response of some bishops and others across the world, Fiducia Supplicans is not without controversy. To some in Africa and the US, especially, it moves the Church towards an heretical position, and demands a revolt by the hierarchy against the Holy Father. At the same time, for many in the LGTBQ community, it remains too small a gesture, letting stand the idea of “objective disorder” and keeping from LGBTQ couples a ritual blessing that recognizes their relationship as holy. Yet, while it is doubtful that Fiducia Supplicans will fully and finally bridge the chasm in the Church between fears and disappointments, it does offer an important step, by which the body of Christ can be made stronger and can trust in the work of the Spirit that brings every blessing. As the document itself concludes, “In this way, every brother and sister will be able to feel that, in the Church, they are always pilgrims, always beggars, always loved, and, despite everything, always blessed.”

Fr. John Whitney, SJ

 

Photo: Rainbow over San Francisco. Flickr / Steve Rotman (cc)