The Intro to the document in English

In a ten-page document the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith carefully authorises – on December 18, 2023 – a ‘simple’ blessing for same-sex couples – but only in circumstances that cannot be confused with a liturgical marriage. The latter is still reserved exclusively for a man and a woman.

The document carefully distinguishes two forms of ‘blessing’. The first takes place in the context of a liturgy – but no liturgy is appropriate in the case of a blessing of a same-sex couple.  In that case a ‘simple’ blessing is “a petition for God’s assistance” expressing  “a supplication that God may grant those aids that come from the impulses of his Spirit” – so that “human relationships may mature and grow in fidelity to the Gospel, that they may be freed from their imperfections and frailties, and that they may express themselves in the ever-increasing dimension of the divine love.”

This document – ‘Fiducia Supplicans‘ – follows an earlier statement approving such blessings but not clarifying the nature and context of such a blessing.

A longer explanation of this document can be found on the Vatican News site.