Blessings

 Ever since the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith came out a declaration that the Church can't bless homosexual unions there's been an uproar.  At first, I wondered why because I know that it takes centuries for the Church to do anything.  So I never expected a change regarding the sacrament of marriage.  A man and a woman have to be open to having children to receive the sacrament of marriage.  

Some of the arguments by the critics of the CDF are worthy, however.  I think the best one is that the Church allows the blessing of animals, of sacramentals, and people.  It is common to bless people who are leaving on a mission or some extraordinary endeavor.  So if the Church can bless animals and ships, why can't it bless two people in friendship.

Actually, IMHO, the Church should.  However, the Church cannot bless sin.  It can't bless two people living together before marriage, that would be blessing fornication or sodomy.

The point is that the Church has to protect the sacrament of marriage.