In a fairly disappointing ruling for gay couples, Vatican City has barred priests from blessing same-sex unions.
The verdict has been issued after a number of dioceses, districts under bishops, sought Church’s decision to carry out blessing gay unions. They had put forward the query before the Vatican as they believed that there was a shift in its attitude towards gay couples.
The Vatican directed clergy and believers not to bear grudges against gay couples but abstain from blessing their unions.
The ruling has been issued by the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), which oversees doctrinal issues of the Vatican.
However, the ruling has come as a blow for gay clergy who were hoping the Church would become open towards gay couples under Pope Francis.
Read Also
British Monarchy’s Fat Expenses Can Usher Abolishment
The parishes in many parts of the United States and Germany have started blessing same-sex unions and in some cases.
However, it had received a backlash from the conservatives sections of the religious community.
The critics of the decision said the decision of the Vatican would amplify the pain and anger of LGBTQI Catholics and couples who were in relationships.
Pope Francis had supported the rights of gay couples but always opposed marriage since the time he assumed the office of archbishop in his homeland Argentina.
The decision has also received a backlash from the critics as the Vatican covered up sexual abuse cases with children in the churches.
They say that the Church covered up the critical matter but rejecting to bless same-sex marriages citing it as a ‘sin’.