"Vatican Addresses Bishops' Concerns on Same-Sex Couple Blessings"

The Vatican's doctrinal office has reiterated that Catholic bishops should not prevent priests from discerning and imparting blessings to same-sex couples, emphasizing the pastoral nature of such blessings. The guidance, which has been met with mixed reactions globally, clarifies that these blessings are neither a change in doctrine nor an endorsement of the couples' lifestyles but are meant to be simple gestures of pastoral care. While some bishops have embraced the guidance, others have outright banned its implementation, highlighting the diverse responses within the Church to the Vatican's approach to pastoral care for same-sex couples.