Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples
STORY: In a landmark ruling announced by the Vatican on Monday, Pope Francis formally authorized Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.
The radical shift was described as "a major step forward" by Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest who ministers to the LGBT community.
MARTIN: “It's really the first time that there's been any sort of opening to blessing same sex couples. So, it's a big deal.”
Monday's announcement marked another significant change made by the pope in his effort to make the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming.
But the new rule made clear that such blessings can only be administered on a case-by-case basis and only as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies.
It also said that it should in no way be confused with the sacrament of heterosexual marriage.
Outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, Martin Hardwick and his partner Andrew Gibb welcomed the news.
HARDWICK: "You know if Jesus said love was love, then love is love, isn't it? We've been together 41 years, so we're married.”
GIBB: “It’s about time. Long overdue.”
In Pope Francis’ hometown of Buenos Aires, some residents saw the ruling as a measure to fight discrimination.
(Veronica Franceschini, Local)
"It is a paradigm shift for the Church and the inclusion of same-sex couples is a change for the Church. As Argentinians, we feel proud that the Pope has taken this initiative because in our country there are laws that have been accompanying this process of transformation for several years.”
Monday's ruling is bound to be opposed by conservatives, who already criticized the pope when he hinted that an official change was in the works in October in response to questions put forward by five conservative cardinals.
