The Vatican has introduced a strange caveat in an attempt to calm the backlash to the landmark same-sex blessings ruling.
The church has now stated that the blessing of a gay couple should last for a maximum of 15 seconds.
In December, Pope Francis approved new rules to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, a significant advance for LGBT people in the Roman Catholic Church.
The ruling was seen as the Vatican taking a more liberal stance towards gay Catholics, which has been adopted by Pope Francis since his election in 2013.
Many around the world did not respond well to the changes
ReutersWhilst the ruling was embraced by LGBTQ+ Catholics, many around the world did not respond well to the changes.
Some countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe took particular issue with the announcement, with some bishops stating that they would not implement it.
Some have argued that the milestone decision by the Vatican directly contradicted the church’s stance on gay marriage and homosexuality, and the ruling showed that the Catholic Church was softening its position on the matter.
To appease conservative critics, the Vatican clarified that same-sex blessings should not be confused with a marriage ceremony between heterosexuals.
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The Vatican clarified that same-sex blessings should not be confused with a marriage ceremony between heterosexuals
GETTY IMAGES“To be clearly distinguished from liturgical or ritualised blessings, ‘pastoral blessings’ must above all be very short. These are blessings lasting a few seconds…” the Vatican’s doctrinal office said in a five-page statement.
“We are talking about something that lasts about 10 or 15 seconds.”
The blessings would “simply ask the Lord for peace, health and other good things for the two people who request it”.
The statement also reminded those concerned that the choice to allow same-sex blessings was not an attempt to “approve or justify” homosexual relationships, which are still considered sinful by the church.
The Vatican echoed that when a same-sex couple sought a blessing, it “should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them. Nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.”
Some have argued that the milestone decision by the Vatican directly contradicted the church’s stance on gay marriage and homosexuality
GettyIn 2021, the Pope said priests could not bless same-sex marriages because God cannot “bless sin”.
The clergy in some countries have previously allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, though the position of Church authorities remained unclear.
“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which supports LGBTQ+ Catholics.
“It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to 'an exhaustive moral analysis' to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”
