Cardinal* Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, sent a letter to the priests and pastoral workers of his archdiocese: From now on, the guide “Blessing Strengthens Love” will serve as a mandatory foundation for pastoral work, according to National Catholic Register. The document explicitly provides for ceremonies for same-sex couples, divorced individuals, those who have remarried, and anyone who does not wish to or is unable to have a church wedding.
*In the Catholic Church, a cardinal is one of the highest-ranking clergy members and a close aide to the Pope. Simply put, they are “senior bishops” who participate in the governance of the entire Church. The most well-known role of cardinals is their participation in the election of a new Pope. When the papal throne becomes vacant, the cardinals gather for a conclave and vote. They are the ones who elect the new Pope.
