"Debating the Church's Stance on Same-Sex Blessings: Doctrine, Dissent, and the LGBTQ Faithful"
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a clarification on the document 'Fiducia supplicans,' stating that it does not alter the Catholic Church's doctrine on marriage. The document allows bishops to discern the application of pastoral blessings in their contexts, emphasizing that such blessings for couples in irregular situations are neither liturgical nor ritualized and do not validate or morally legitimize those unions. The statement also distinguishes between liturgical blessings and simple pastoral blessings, the latter being brief, non-ritualistic, and not an endorsement of the couple's lifestyle. The Dicastery encourages a broader understanding of blessings and pastoral care, especially in diverse cultural and legal contexts where homosexuality may be criminalized.