Cardinal Gracias defends blessing of homosexual couples
Washington/Neu Delhi - "The tradition of the Church and the Magisterium is very clear and there is no contradiction at all," says Cardinal Oswald Gracias about the Vatican document "Fiducia supplicans". He sees it as a "confirmation of our spirituality and a gift".
Published on 29.12.2023 at 12:26 –The Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias is behind the Vatican's recent authorisation of the blessing of homosexual couples. The Archbishop of Mumbai sees the document "Fiducia supplicans" from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on the non-liturgical blessing of "couples in irregular situations" as a "confirmation of our spirituality and a gift". Jesus never refused a blessing. "That is the basic idea," said Gracias, a close advisor to Pope Francis, to the US portal "Crux" (Friday).
In addition, asking for a blessing is a common custom in Indian culture. "Our Indian mentality is so inclusive and understanding of people of other religions and faiths," said the cardinal. "Everyone is searching for God, everyone is searching for truth, everyone is searching for spirituality." The controversy in India about "fiducia supplicans" is based on a misunderstanding, he said. "The Church's teaching on marriage between a man and a woman has not changed at all. The tradition of the Church and the Magisterium is very clear and there is no contradiction at all," emphasised Gracias.
Divided response
The new Vatican document from 18 December allows the blessing of homosexual, unmarried and remarried couples for the first time. At the same time, the document states that clergy may not bless such couples during a church service. Confusion with a church wedding ceremony must also be ruled out. The document met with a mixed response within the Church. Above all in Africa and Eastern Europe, but also in parts of Latin America, it met with massive rejection.
Homosexuality is also a controversial topic in India's predominantly Hindu society. In October, the Supreme Court rejected the legalisation of same-sex marriages. The judgement stated that it was the prerogative of the legislature to decide on a change to marriage law. In September 2018, however, the court unanimously ruled that criminalising homosexuality was unconstitutional - and repealed Section 377, which dates back to the British colonial era. (KNA)