The German Catholic Bishops Conference (DBK) has published guidelines for clergy to bless couples in “irregular” situations. Announced on 23 April 25 during a joint press conference with representatives of the DBK and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), the guidelines were presented as part of an evolving pastoral approach laid out in 2023’s Fiducia Supplicans endorsed by Pope Francis. 

“Non-church married couples, divorced and remarried couples, and couples in all the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities are of course part of our society,” the document entitled “Blessings for Couples Who Love Each Other”, adding that “quite a few of these couples want a blessing for their relationship.”

“Such a request is an expression of gratitude for their love and an expression of the desire to shape this love from faith,” the document said, noting blessings are “an act of the Church, which places itself at the service of divine-human encounter.” 

“The Church takes seriously the couple’s desire to place their future path in life under God’s blessing,” the bishops wrote. “It sees in the request for blessing the hope of a relationship with God that can sustain human life.”

“The art and manner of conducting the blessing, the location, the entire aesthetics, including music and singing, are intended to express the appreciation of the people who have asked for the blessing, their togetherness and their faith,” the document said. 

The bishops noted that Catholic clergy can bless same-sex couples as an expression of pastoral closeness without condoning same-sex sexual relations. However such blessings may not be made in the context of a formal liturgical rite. The blessings should be spontaneous, reflecting the unique stories and faith of the couples involved. Lay persons are also authorized to perform these spontaneous same-sex blessings.

The introduction of Fiducia Supplicans was not received by all sections of the church with approval. The church in Africa was given blanket permission to ignore Fiducia Supplicans by Francis. The German guidelines, which are non-binding on the clergy, is not likely to find support outside of Western Europe.