Indiana Catholics react to Vatican decision on blessing same-sex couples

Pope Francis approved ordained ministers to bless couples in “irregular” situations Monday, including those in same-sex and unmarried relationships.

The Vatican’s declaration reverses its 2021 statement declaring the Catholic church did not have the power to bless same-sex unions.

The decision won’t allow same-sex individuals to be married in the church, but it will allow them to receive simple blessings. The report from the Vatican clarified that “the blessing does not signify approval of the union.”

Still, the declaration feels validating for some LGBT Catholics in Indiana.

Meli Barber is president of DignityUSA, a nationwide LGBTQ Catholic advocacy association, and the local chapter in Indianapolis. She married her wife in the Episcopalian Church. She said she’d love to be married in the Catholic church as well, but this feels like an important step forward.

“I’ve already reached out to a priest friend of mine to ask when I can get my blessing for our partnership,” Barber said.

Barber also hopes the decision can improve relationships between queer Catholics and their observant families.

“I think there are too many families that have felt so much tension between how they support their queer children, their queer siblings,” she said. “Now, to have the church say, yes, we can bless these unions, is an important step for our allies and our families as well.”

The Vatican clarified that the decision won’t change the church’s official doctrine that only heterosexual relations within marriage are considered lawful.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis declined an interview but released a statement that the doctrine is “consistent with the Church’s longstanding teaching and belief that no person is beyond the scope of divine mercy.”