Catholic priests in Meghalaya have been given permission by the Catholic Church to bless same-sex couples,on December 22. However the Church pointed out that marriage rites of same-sex couples are still forbidden and the blessing cannot be given via any ritual resembling a marriage rite, nor does it signify the Church’s approval of such unions.
The move comes in the heels of Pope Francis’ decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, according to media reports.
“The Catholic Church issued the declaration ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ approved by Pope Francis. With this, it will be possible for a Catholic priest to bless same-sex couples but without any type of ritual of the Church that resembles a marriage rite,” the Shillong Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh said in a statement.
“This is a spontaneous prayer of a priest with informal words. The blessing does not signify approval of the union. The declaration stresses on the pastoral meaning of blessings,” he added.
Earlier,in October, this year the Supreme Court of India refused to make same-sex marriage legal in the country.
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