From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
In these last days of Advent, we are reminded of the amazing love that prompted God the Son to take on human flesh. While the Child Jesus found exceptional welcome, love and support from Mary and Joseph, we cannot deny that he was born at a time and place that epitomized the very messiness of human life. In the course of his public ministry, Jesus was surrounded more often not by saints but by those who struggled with sin, by those who did not always respond to God’s plan for their lives. Jesus came into their world and loved them…indeed loved us.
Today’s declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on the topic of blessings is well situated in that Advent reality. The statement, approved by Pope Francis, reminds us that all of us are loved by God, and that we all are in need of God’s mercy and would benefit from his blessing as we strive to live out his call more perfectly. It addresses the particular situation of couples who are living together outside the bond of a marriage recognized by the Church—whether they be heterosexual or homosexual– who come to the Church asking for a blessing even when their state in life might prevent them from participating in the sacraments. In particular, today’s Declaration indicates that an ordained minister may privately impart informal, non-liturgical blessings on these persons in these situations.
The Declaration issued today by the DDF was intended to offer nuance to the Church’s teaching on blessings without in any way changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage or on sexual morality. The blessings do not imply that the Church is officially validating the status of the couple. Effort is particularly to be taken, moreover, to make sure that such blessings are not confused with the sacrament of marriage. Nevertheless, the hope is that these blessings can assist those who request them to “open their lives 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.”
As we prepare to celebrate the greatest blessing bestowed upon humanity—the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh at Christmas—let us continue to pray for each other as brothers and sisters, whatever our state in life, that we all would be increasingly open to the action of grace in our lives.