Roman Catholic priests have been given a go-ahead to bless same sex couples
In a land mark ruling by Pope Francis on Monday, Vatican however said that the priests can bless same sex couples but the ceremonies should not in anyway resemble that of marriage.
The radical shift is aimed at making the church more inclusive but still upholds the strict ban on gay marriages.
In the ruling, it is affirmed that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman. The ruling further states that the blessings for the gay couples should not be in any way tied to ‘any specific Catholic celebration or religious service and should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union ceremony.’
The document further indicates that those seeking such blessings should not be denied.
“For, those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection.
“There is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness,” read the document.
