- Feb 5, 2002
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (OSV News) — The Vatican’s decision to allow varying implementations of its recent document on blessings for people in irregular and same-sex unions is part of a “great move toward decentralization” in the Catholic Church amid the ongoing Synod on Synodality, said Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego.
But he blamed animus toward LGBTQ people “among far too many” for opposition to the document and for its critics focusing mostly, he said, on it allowing blessings for those in same-sex unions.
“We have witnessed the reality that bishops of various parts of the world have made rapidly divergent decisions about the acceptability of such blessings in their countries, based substantially on cultural and pastoral factors, as well as neocolonialism,” said Cardinal McElroy in a Feb. 16 talk at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Cardinal McElroy, who was served as delegate in last October’s monthlong synod gathering, was referring to “Fiducia Supplicans” (“Supplicating Trust”) on “the pastoral meaning of blessings.” The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s December 2023 document outlines the possibility of informal, non-liturgical blessings for Catholics in irregular or same-sex relationships.
Such decentralization, Cardinal McElroy said, must not “obscure” the “rigorous obligation” of the church everywhere to protect “LGBT persons” and accompany those who are divorced and remarried without an annulment.
Continued below.
But he blamed animus toward LGBTQ people “among far too many” for opposition to the document and for its critics focusing mostly, he said, on it allowing blessings for those in same-sex unions.
“We have witnessed the reality that bishops of various parts of the world have made rapidly divergent decisions about the acceptability of such blessings in their countries, based substantially on cultural and pastoral factors, as well as neocolonialism,” said Cardinal McElroy in a Feb. 16 talk at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Cardinal McElroy, who was served as delegate in last October’s monthlong synod gathering, was referring to “Fiducia Supplicans” (“Supplicating Trust”) on “the pastoral meaning of blessings.” The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s December 2023 document outlines the possibility of informal, non-liturgical blessings for Catholics in irregular or same-sex relationships.
Such decentralization, Cardinal McElroy said, must not “obscure” the “rigorous obligation” of the church everywhere to protect “LGBT persons” and accompany those who are divorced and remarried without an annulment.
Continued opposition to ‘Fiducia Supplicans’
Continued below.
Cardinal McElroy: 'Animus' toward LGBTQ people endures
Calling "Fiducia Supplicans" a "great move toward decentralization," Cardinal McElroy says "animus" continues toward LGBTQ people:
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