Cardinal Cupich: DDF declaration on blessings is ‘a step forward’

By Vatican News staff reporter

Emphasizing that the Church requires a pastoral approach towards people in irregular situations – including same-sex relationships – Cardinal Blase Cupich says the Archdiocese of Chicago welcomes the Declaration Fiducia supplicans “which will help many more in our community feel the closeness and compassion of God.”

Published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on Monday, the Declaration “on the pastoral meaning of blessings” distinguishes between different kinds of blessings, and indicates the circumstances in which ordained ministers can give blessings to people in irregular situations, including same-sex relationships.
 

At the heart of the declaration, says Cardinal Cupich in a statement on the Archdiocesan website, “is a call for pastors to take a pastoral approach to being available to people” who recognize the need for God’s help and presence in their lives, without claiming a legitimation of their particular status.

“As such, the Declaration is a step forward,” the Cardinal explains, adding that it is in keeping both with Pope Francis’ “desire to accompany people pastorally” and with “Jesus’ desire to be present to all people who desire grace and support.”

Cardinal Cupich notes that the Declaration maintains the Church’s traditional teaching about marriage, which corresponds to earlier statements from Pope Francis indicating that it is not appropriate for ecclesial authorities “to constantly and officially establish procedures or rituals” for any situations whatever.

The Archbishop of Chicago also emphasizes the Dicastery’s insistence that blessings of persons in irregular situations should never be given during or in connection with the ceremonies of a civil union, nor with words or actions proper to a wedding; and that this applies both to individuals in irregular situations and those in same-sex relationships.

Therefore, he says, such blessing should take place in other contexts, with the understanding that by giving a blessing in those circumstances, ““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.”

The full text of Cardinal Cupich’s statement can be found on the website of the Archdiocese of Chicago.