Archbishop of Munich authorizes blessing of same-sex couples

The Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, has authorized the blessing of same-sex couples in his diocese, reported dpa.

In a recent letter to employees in his diocese seen by dpa on Tuesday, Marx recommended a guide issued by the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) and the Central Committee of Catholics (ZdK) “as a basis for pastoral action.”

Last year, the DBK and ZdK adopted a guidance document entitled “Blessings give strength to love,” effectively granting permission for churches to bless homosexual couples.

“The Church shows recognition to couples united in love and offers them support,” stated the document.

The guidance is intended to reinforce the German Catholic Church's practice of offering blessings to "divorced and remarried people, couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as couples who for other reasons do not wish to or cannot receive the sacrament of marriage."

From the DBK’s perspective, the document is in line with Rome and former pope Francis's position. However, the policy is controversial among conservative Catholics.