The unrest among Catholics is far from over, as the global Pope Francis tries to deal with widespread international reaction to the Vatican's recent declaration on same-sex blessings contained in the Fiducia Supplicans document.
The Vatican's doctrinal office (also called the Holy Office) issued a press release to “clarify how” the new directives will be received.
We've written here about how Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, is a controversial bishop, author of books like “The Art of Kissing,” and the target of accusations (by victims' groups) of treason. Covering up allegations of sexual abuse in his diocese.
He is considered by many to be a very wrong person to lead the “fine-tuning” of received pastoral guidance rather than widely perceived doctrine and doctrine.
Cardinal Fernández published a five-page press release emphasizing that pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations should not be “an endorsement of the lives lived by those who ask for them.”
The National Catholic Register reported:
Cardinal Fernandez said that the responses he received from bishops' conferences around the world to the declaration highlight “the need for a longer period of pastoral reflection,” and that what was expressed in the statements of these bishops “cannot be interpreted as doctrinal opposition.” Because the document is clear and final regarding marriage and sexual life.
The cardinal said: “There is no room for ideological deviation from this declaration or for it to be considered heretical, contrary to the Church’s tradition, or blasphemous,” pointing to a few paragraphs in the text of the original declaration that affirm the Church’s doctrine. The doctrine of marriage.”
Eighteen days after publication trust…The Holy Office finds itself forced once again to “downplay” its authority – something that shows just how much Pope Francis’s authority has been eroded.
The text sparked a backlash from bishops in several African and Eastern European countries and generated confusion and division in most other parts of the world.
“[Fernández] He added, “This non-ritual form of blessing, despite its simplicity and brevity, does not intend to justify anything morally unacceptable.”
“It remains clear, therefore, that the blessing should not take place in a prominent place within a sacred building, or in front of an altar, because this too would create confusion,” Cardinal Fernandez added in the clarification.
From the official Vatican press release:
“Since some have raised the question of what these blessings might be, let us look at a concrete example: Let us imagine that among a large number on pilgrimage a divorced couple, now in a new union, say to the priest: ‘Please give us a blessing. We can't find work, he's very sick, we don't have a home, and life has become very difficult: God help us! He said.
In this case, the priest can say a simple prayer like this: “Lord, look at these children of yours, grant them health, work, peace and mutual help.” Free them from everything that conflicts with your gospel and allow them to live according to your will. Amen.' Then he concludes by drawing the sign of the cross on each of the two people.
The press release acknowledges that the same-sex blessing declaration “may require more time to implement.”
“In some places, there are no difficulties in its immediate application, while in other places it will be necessary not to apply it, taking the necessary time to read and interpret,” Cardinal Fernandez said.
Read more:
Pope Francis' Fiducia Supplicans Fails in Biblical Proportion – Writer Controversial Bishop Accused of Covering Up Sex Abuse Allegations in His Diocese
