Pope Francis' recent declaration permitting priests to bless same-sex couples has sparked a wave of debate and controversy within the Catholic community.
In a statement, Bishop David Zubik with the Diocese of Pittsburgh said the declaration is “meant to highlight the beauty and importance of all people.”
He adds that the declaration “affirmed the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage as a sacrament, a union between one man and one woman."
The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October.
In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.
The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.