A celebrity homosexual couple who intends to conceive a child through surrogacy has made history after the Vatican permitted the blessing of the duo at a "religious wedding" held two days after their civil wedding.
Father Francisco Gordalina blessed Uruguayan television personality 82-year-old Carlos Perciavalle and his 47-year-old partner Jimmy Castilhos at a party for 400 guests.
The couple publicly advertised it as "the first [Catholic] religious wedding in the world" of its kind.
The "marriage" of Perciavalle, a well-known actor, comedian and director, to Castilhos, a theater producer, presenter and communicator, was blessed on Feb. 21 after the couple registered their civil union on Feb. 19 at the local registry.
"As you are both children of God and have asked for a blessing from God our Father, it is with pleasure that we are present on behalf of the Church to ask that he bless you," Fr. Gordalina declared in the presence of the homosexual couple, Uruguayan media reported.
Noting that the service was that of "a blessing, not a wedding," the priest went on to assure Perciavalle and Castilhos that "God is with you and we know very well that you are also with God because we have spoken intimately with our bishop, and we have seen your faith."
He first placed his hands on the head of Perciavalle, saying, "Carlos, may God keep you and bless you, lead you along the path of peace and love and help you grow in dedication to your brothers and in the love that you have to give them, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
We were informed that the blessing had to be given, since there was a document signed by the pope.
Placing his hands on the head of Castilhos, Fr. Gordalina said, "Jimmy, may God keep you and protect you, grant you his love, enlighten you and lead you along the path of love and peace, and may your love continue to grow and be devoted to the good of the brothers, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The couple had arranged for the "wedding" to take place in the church of San Benito a Garzón, Maldonado, which prompted the diocese to announce that the venue was a private chapel and not a parish church. Following a public outcry, the blessing was moved to the artist's iconic farm on the shores of Laguna del Sauce.
A day after the service of blessing, Bp. Milton Tróccoli issued a press statement that said he had consulted apostolic nuncio Abp. Gianfranco Gallone in Montevideo about how to respond to the gay couple's request for a blessing.
"We were informed that the blessing had to be given, since there was a document signed by the pope and that we should proceed accordingly," Tróccoli said in his statement, noting that he had expected the gay blessing to receive extensive media coverage.
I understand that the media coverage of the situation may have hurt the sensitivity of some and may have confused others.
"We then informed those interested that the blessing would be given. They were reminded that it would not be in a church, that we were blessing to the persons and not the union, (it was not a "church marriage"), and that for the same reason, it would be discreet, without the presence of guests," the bishop added.
"I understand that the media coverage of the situation may have hurt the sensitivity of some and may have confused others," Tróccoli remarked. "It has also prompted some to come forward to discuss their significant personal or family situation, giving thanks for the closeness of the Church."
Insisting that Fiducia Supplicans affirmed "the sacred value of marriage between a man and a woman, with an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union that was open to life," Tróccoli explained that "at the same time, the document seeks to get closer pastorally to those who find themselves in 'irregular situations.'"
"The novelty of the document and its pastoral implications mobilizes us all. This invites us to a deep reflection about how to continue looking for ways to evangelize. It is a great challenge, which requires prayer, discernment and reflection," the bishop added.
Since their "wedding," the couple have announced that given Perciavalle's advanced age, they want to begin the process of "renting a surrogate uterus" as soon as possible — a practice that is forbidden by the Catholic Church.
Earlier, the couple declared that they had decided to tie the knot during the "Lunar Year of the Dragon" at the suggestion of their astrologer friend Ludovica Squirru, founder of the New Age Argentine Spiritual Foundation.