Ambiguity of ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ Makes Way for Multiplying Misinterpretations

[Michie]

COMMENTARY: The new declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ensures that no one knows what exactly is being blessed, as it expressly forbids any ritual text that might specify it.

In the “declaration” Fiducia Supplicans from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the prefect, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, has exceeded even his own innovative capacities by endorsing “pastoral blessings” for couples, including those of the same sex, in extramarital conjugal unions.

John Bursch in these pages quickly insisted that, “anyone who claims that the Vatican’s document authorizes blessings of same-sex unions has not read it or is intentionally misinterpreting it.”

The U.S. bishops’ statement may agree with that position, but spoke at such a level of generality as to be meaningless, except to say that Church teaching on marriage had not changed. The Canadian bishops were much more clear:

While explicitly affirming the Church’s traditional understanding of marriage, Fiducia Supplicans allows pastors to bless people who freely request a blessing, seeking divine help to live in fidelity to God’s will. The Declaration makes clear that such blessings must be directed to the persons themselves rather than their situation and that they must be spontaneously requested and are not ritual or liturgical actions.

Multiplying Misinterpretations ​

Continued below.

Ambiguity of ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ Makes Way for Multiplying Misinterpretations

COMMENTARY: The new declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ensures that no one knows what exactly is being blessed, as it expressly forbids any ritual text that might specify it.

www.ncregister.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

COMMENTARY: The new declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ensures that no one knows what exactly is being blessed, as it expressly forbids any ritual text that might specify it.

In the “declaration” Fiducia Supplicans from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the prefect, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, has exceeded even his own innovative capacities by endorsing “pastoral blessings” for couples, including those of the same sex, in extramarital conjugal unions.

John Bursch in these pages quickly insisted that, “anyone who claims that the Vatican’s document authorizes blessings of same-sex unions has not read it or is intentionally misinterpreting it.”

The U.S. bishops’ statement may agree with that position, but spoke at such a level of generality as to be meaningless, except to say that Church teaching on marriage had not changed. The Canadian bishops were much more clear:

Multiplying Misinterpretations ​

Continued below.

Ambiguity of ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ Makes Way for Multiplying Misinterpretations

COMMENTARY: The new declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ensures that no one knows what exactly is being blessed, as it expressly forbids any ritual text that might specify it.

www.ncregister.com

So it's a Rorschach test?

 

[Michie]

So it's a Rorschach test?

Is that test still used?

 

[concretecamper]

Just saw this today. Interesting take.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Just saw this today. Interesting take.

That was a good listen, Fr Goring made some important comments there I think.