Updated with comment by Curia spokesman - Archbishop Charles Scicluna this afternoon encouraged Fr Mark Montebello to continue his outreach to gay people.

Fr Montebello was summoned for a meeting with the Archbishop today after The Malta Independent yesterday carried Facebook pictures showing Fr Montebello blessing the rings of two men who got engaged to each other.

In terms of church practice and discipline, the ritual blessing of engagement and wedding rings...is only allowed for engagements and marriages between a man and a woman.- Curia spokesman

The Curia said in a short statement this afternoon that "during the cordial meeting, the Archbishop encouraged Fr Mark to continue his outreach to gay people, and asked that he continue to follow Church practice and discipline in his ministry, especially in the celebration of sacred rites and Church rituals."

Fr Mark thanked the Archbishop and Vicar General Fr Joe Galea Curmi, who was also present for the meeting, for their support and agreed that in his pastoral ministry to gay people he would continue to follow Church practices and discipline.

A Curia spokesman, replying to questions, said that "in terms of church practice and discipline, the ritual blessing of engagement and wedding rings, and of engagement promises and marriage consent, is only allowed for engagements and marriages between a man and a woman.

Archbishop Charles J Scicluna in comments on RTK later reiterated that the ritual of the blessing of rings in engagement and wedding ceremonies were reserved for couples formed by a man and a woman.

He said he had encouraged Fr Montebello to continue with his pastoral work with the gay community and Fr Montebello had agreed and committed himself to respect the church practices and discipline.