Vatican’s blessing guidelines: global responses to Fiducia Supplicans a year later

The final day of the Jubilee of the World of Communications, which ran from Jan. 24–26, coincides with the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ meeting with participants of the plenary session of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) following the release of Fiducia Supplicans — the Vatican’s declaration on the pastoral meaning of blessings.

Though the initial tidal wave of controversy surrounding Fiducia Supplicans has largely died down, for many, the Vatican’s document on “pastoral and spontaneous blessings” caused more confusion than clarity on the Church’s long-standing teachings on human sexuality, morality, and the sacrament of marriage.

The close of the special jubilee for communicators provides an opportunity to reflect on the impact of Fiducia Supplicansand Vatican communications — particularly sensitive communications delivered by the office responsible for defending and promoting Catholic doctrine — to people living in various historical, socio-cultural, and political contexts around the world.

North America​

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