Q: A recent published article discussed what blessings of couples in irregular situations are not more than what they are. The article mentions that these blessings may be administered by “a priest,” meaning an ordained man encountered.
My question is this: May deacons also give a spontaneous blessing to those in these type of situations who request it? The Book of Blessings explictly states that deacons are not to do the blessings that say they are not allowed to do but can do all the rest. If not, then are deacons to never give a spontaneous blessing as well?
Number 35 in Fiducia Supplicans states: “Therefore, the pastoral sensibility of ordained ministers should also be formed to perform blessings spontaneously that are not found in the Book of Blessings.” This does not limit it to priests in my opinion.
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A: I see no reason why a deacon could not give those blessings. FS specifically mentions priests in a couple of examples, but it more commonly speaks of “ordained ministers.”