I have read the Declaration Fiducia supplicans issued by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and I offer my thoughts:
First and foremost, it must be stated that the doctrine on marriage has not changed. The document itself states that marriage is the “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children.” Jesus himself affirmed this truth in the Gospels, and it can never be changed.
Secondly, the Church and her ministers have always asked for God’s blessings upon them, their children, and those things that are dear to them. Even in the Old Testament, we find the priests invoking God’s blessing over people in a variety of situations and circumstances. The Declaration issued by the Vatican affirms this, while asking that this invocation be extended to those who are in what the Church calls “an irregular marriage”, including couples of the same sex. Let us be clear that the Church is not blessing the union in these circumstances; only the people who present themselves for a blessing. Our priests and deacons are asked many times every day for a blessing. In most of these situations, they do not know the intention of the person who is requesting the blessing; only that they are asking for God’s grace in their lives at that moment.
I invite you to read the entire document, so that you will discover the beauty of God’s blessings on His beloved people. No one, no matter what they have done or their present state of life, is beyond God’s mercy and blessing. How beautiful it is when God’s people ask for a blessing for themselves or others. Let us heed the words of Jesus himself who said, “Ask and you shall receive.” (Matthew 7:7)
I know that a statement like this can be confusing to many people, especially if it is read out of context. No doubt many people will try to make this something that it is not. There is absolutely no change in doctrine here, only an expansion of pastoral practice in the church.
May God bless all of us, helping us turn away from sin and toward His mercy, so that we may all grow in holiness and grace.