He has ignited a firestorm.
A coalition comprising over 90 individuals, encompassing Catholic clergymen, scholars, and laypeople, has united in a plea to Pope Francis for a reconsideration of the controversial Vatican document titled “Fiducia Supplicans.” Released on December 18 by the Vatican’s Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, this document permits priests to bless same-sex couples while cautioning against endorsing such rituals for couples in irregular situations.
Recently published, the coalition’s letter represents a diverse group, including Catholic pastors, clergy, scholars, professors, and doctors. Their appeal reaches out to all Cardinals and Bishops in the Roman Catholic Church, urging them to prohibit the implementation of “Fiducia Supplicans” in their respective dioceses. The letter specifically calls on Pope Francis to retract the document, arguing that despite its explicit affirmation of traditional Church doctrine on marriage, the practical application endorsed by the document contradicts this doctrine.
The crux of the letter contends that “Fiducia Supplicans” attempts to create a problematic separation between doctrine and liturgy on one side and pastoral practice on the other—a division deemed untenable by the signatories. According to them, the act of blessing same-sex couples, as permitted by the document, signifies a departure from traditional doctrine, irrespective of the intentions or interpretations provided by the involved priest.
The signatories express concern that the faithful may not fully comprehend the nuanced theoretical justifications outlined in the declaration. They predict that the prevailing message will be the perceived acceptance of homosexual unions by the Catholic Church. Emphasizing the gravity of the issue, the letter urges cardinals and bishops not to remain silent, as the scandal could intensify if not promptly addressed.
In conclusion, the letter implores bishops to follow the example of those opposing the document globally and requests Pope Francis to withdraw “Fiducia Supplicans.” It characterizes the document as contradictory to both Scripture and the Church’s universal and uninterrupted Tradition. Notable figures among the 92 endorsing individuals include Dr. Michelle Cretella, former head of the American College of Pediatricians, and Regis Martin, a professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, who had previously called for Pope Francis’s resignation over the same issue.