While seeking to care for all of God’s people in a pastoral way regardless of their circumstances, a priest or deacon must never offer a blessing in such a way such as to suggest or simulate that it is a blessing of a civil union of a same-sex couple, comparable to the blessing of a man and woman in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. In essence, this declaration from the Church regarding pastoral blessings is intended to show forth Christ’s merciful love to all people – not to change her teachings on morals or the sacraments.