New Reactions Against Fiducia Supplicans

In the new wave of protests, we must note on the one hand the geographical extension of the distancing process, and the diversity of episcopates concerned, little known for taking such measures against a text coming from Rome.

France

Thus, after the strong reaction of Bishop Marc Aillet, powerfully argued and vigorously pointing out numerous inadequacies and holes in the text, a group of French bishops took their turn to express their position.

The bishops of the dioceses of western France—Quimper, Rennes, Saint-Brieuc, Vannes, Angers, Laval, Le Mans, Luçon, and Nantes—cosigned a document of “reflections and guidance” on Fiducia Supplicans, dated January 1, 2024.

Following the text of the DDF step-by-step, the episcopal commentary deals first with “pastoral charity,” then “the perennial Catholic doctrine of marriage,” then the attempt to “enrich the meaning of blessings,” and after that, “blessing same-sex couples?”

The very way the statement was titled shows the bewilderment of the signatories. At the end of this paragraph, the “guidance” is given. The bishops, so as not to contribute to creating confusion—as requested by the DDF’s Declaration—conclude:

“This is why it is appropriate to bless spontaneously, individually, each of the two people forming a couple, whatever their sexual orientation, who ask God’s blessing with humility.”

Peru

A very strong reaction came from Peru, from Bishop Rafael Alfonso Escudero López-Brea, Bishop of the territorial prelature of Moyobamba. In a pastoral message dated January 2, 2024, the bishop notes “unprecedented confusion” in the prelature and in the world.

The prelate does not hesitate to write that “this document damages the communion of the Church, because such blessings directly and gravely contradict divine Revelation and the doctrine and the uninterrupted practice of the Catholic Church.”

The bishop continues: “Blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples is a grave abuse of the most holy Name of God, which is invoked for an objectively sinful union of fornication, adultery, or—even worse—homosexual activity.” Yet, “God never blesses sin. God does not contradict Himself.”

Bishop Escudero aptly notes: “The Declaration makes a distinction between liturgical blessings and pastoral blessings and allows couple, but not unions, to be blessed with ‘pastoral blessings.’ This distinction leaves us perplexed and confused. [...] To bless a couple is to bless the union which exists between them; there is no logical and real way to separate one from the other, otherwise why would they ask for a blessing together and not each of them separately?”

Consequently, he asks to give blessings individually. It should be noted that all the priests of the prelature unite with their bishop to support him in this action.