In mid-December the Pope approved a Vatican text that allows priests to bless same-sex couples. An unprecedented publication that divides the Catholic Church.
The Holy See clarifies its position. Ten days after the authorization granted by the Vatican to bless “irregular” couples and same-sex couples, the Catholic Church finds itself facing the revolt of several bishops in Africa and Eastern Europe.
The Fiducia supplicans declaration, signed on December 18 by Pope Francis, authorizes the blessing by priests of same-sex couples “in an irregular situation”. An important progress that has displeased several prelates, in particular from several African countries where homosexuality is still prohibited.
“Not the same requirements as a sacrament”
Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith in the Vatican and signatory of the Fiducia supplicans, explained to the Spanish newspaper ABC that the text “is not the ratification of anything”.
“The central theme of the document is the value of ‘non-liturgical’, ‘non-ritualised’ blessings”, underlines the high religious dignitary, who is echoed by our colleagues from La Croix.
Victor Manuel Fernandez also states that these blessings constitute “only the response of a pastor to two people who ask for God’s help. And in this case the pastor does not impose any conditions”.
“He (the priest, ed.) does not ratify anything and does not deny the Catholic doctrine on marriage”, continues the cardinal, further qualifying this blessing as “a simple gesture of pastoral proximity which does not have the same requirements as a sacrament”. .
Pope Francis’ first step last October
The Argentine cardinal therefore invites “each local bishop to make this discernment in his diocese or in any case to give further indications.
In any case, Pope Francis’ approval of the text constitutes a new step in the way in which the Catholic Church views homosexuality. Last October, the sovereign pontiff suggested in a letter the possibility of blessing “same-sex unions” as long as they are not comparable to the sacrament of marriage, which the Church defines as “an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a man and woman, naturally open to procreation.
Hugues Garnier BFMTV Journalist
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2023-12-28 18:36:45
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