Vatican says gay blessing could last just 15 seconds

Those who bless will ask “The Lord for peace, health and other blessings”' for the couple Photo: JOE GIDDENS/PA

The Vatican tried to calm backlash over its decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, clarifying that such gestures should not last more than 15 seconds and do not legitimize homosexual relationships.< /p>

Last month, the Holy See issued a declaration in which it allowed priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances as part of a more liberal stance towards gay Catholics that Pope Francis has adopted since his election. in 2013.

But the announcement sparked anger in many parts of the Catholic world, with particularly strong opposition from countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Some conservative bishops feared the declaration represented a significant softening of the Catholic Church's position on same-sex marriage and homosexuality, which views homosexuality as a disorder and considers homosexual acts a sin.

Pope Francis has taken a more liberal stance towards gay Catholics. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA

In an apparent attempt to placate conservative critics, the Vatican has now sought to clarify its original statement, insisting it is «clear and definite on marriage and sexuality».

The blessing of a gay couple should be a simple procedure, lasting only a few seconds, and should in no way be confused with the marriage ceremony of heterosexual couples, the Vatican said.

“To clearly distinguish “pastoral blessings” from liturgical or ritual blessings, they must first of all be very brief. These are blessings that last a few seconds…” the Vatican doctrinal office said in a five-page statement. «We're talking about something that lasts about 10 or 15 seconds.»

Blessings will «simply ask the Lord for peace, health and other benefits for the two people who ask for them.»

They insisted that allowing priests to bless same-sex couples is not «heresy» or contrary to tradition Catholic Church.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the department responsible for overseeing Catholic dogma, has acknowledged that in some countries the open blessing of same-sex couples by priests may be “unwise,” leading to persecution, imprisonment or even death threats for those involved.< /p>

“If there are laws that condemn the simple act of declaring oneself as a homosexual with prison and, in some cases, torture and even death, it goes without saying that a blessing would be imprudent,” the Vatican said.

To calm critics, the Holy See tried to clarify its position on the gay blessing. Photo: ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Priests should exercise “pastoral prudence” depending on attitudes toward homosexuality in their countries.

Gays in Africa and elsewhere continue to face extreme prejudice and persecution. homosexuality is prohibited in more than 30 countries on the continent. The President of Burundi recently said that gays should be stoned to death.

In countries such as Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi, there is fierce resistance to blessing same-sex couples.

The Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, said last month: “The ambiguity of the declaration, which is susceptible to numerous interpretations and manipulations, causes great confusion among the faithful.»

In Uruguay, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, said that the blessing of same-sex couples was «a controversial issue and it creates a schism within the church.»

In Kazakhstan The archbishop banned the new blessing, saying it was contrary to 2,000 years of «doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church.»

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The Vatican clarification issued Thursday came less than three weeks after the original statement was issued. and underscored the horror it has caused in many parts of the Catholic world.

The gay couple's blessing should not be seen as «a justification for all their actions, nor are they an endorsement of the lives they lead,» the doctrinal statement said office.