The Vatican affirms that "blessings of couples in irregular situations and of same-sex couples, the form of which must not find any ritual fixation on the part of the ecclesial authorities, are possible, in order not to produce confusion with the blessing proper to the sacrament of marriage." This is what is established in a new document of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ("Fiducia supplicans").
The blessing, it is explained, comes from God "on those who, recognizing themselves as destitute and in need of his help, do not claim the legitimacy of their own status." The green light, therefore, is given to the blessing "not included in a liturgical rite." It is the line that had been anticipated by the Pope in response to the 'dubia' expressed by some cardinals last October, but which today is in some way 'codified'.
Therefore, if "a ritual for the blessing of couples in an irregular situation should neither be promoted nor envisaged," for the Dicastery that watches over the faith, "neither should the Church's closeness to every situation in which God's help is asked through a simple blessing be prevented or prohibited.
In the brief prayer that can precede this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask for peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue and mutual help, but also the light and strength of God to be able to fully accomplish his will."
The important thing is that it is a non-liturgical blessing and above all that there is no confusion with marriages: "This blessing will never be carried out at the same time as the civil rites of union or even in relation to them. Not even with the clothes, gestures or words of a wedding." Then some concrete suggestions are also given: "This blessing can instead find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, prayer recited in a group or during a pilgrimage."
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