By Tim Rohr
In his Apostolic Administrator’s statement of Dec. 22, 2023 regarding Fiducia Supplicans ("FS"), Apostolic Administrator for Agana, Fr. Romeo Convocar, urges us to “carefully read the actual document, instead of relying on presentations or interpretations by media and other sources.”
I did.
And it doesn’t say what Fr. Convocar tells us it says.
Fr. Convocar says that FS “refers to…the blessing of persons and not unions of persons or couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples.”
Fr. Convocar’s “interpretation” absolutely contradicts the heading of Section III which is clearly titled: “Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex.”
If Pope Francis wanted to make it clear that FS was only about “the blessing of persons and not unions,” as Fr. Convocar wants us to believe, then the title could have easily and clearly been: “Blessing of Persons in Irregular Situations and Persons in Same-Sex Unions.”
But it isn't.
In fact, FS uses the word “individual” only once, and not even in the singular: “the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace…” The blessing is clearly directed towards a “couple,” thus the Vatican’s clear use of the plural.
FS uses the word "person" seven times, however, in the most critical part of the document, when the pope might have stuck with the singular to avoid confusion, he opts for the plural ("persons") and emphasizes that the blessing is for a couple and not a person by further using the word "themselves" instead of him or herself:
"...the ordained minister join in the prayer of those persons who, although in a union that cannot be compared in any way to a marriage, desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy..." (Par. 30)
When will these people stop lying to us?
At least Fr. James Martin is honest about what Pope Francis really wants:
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| Fr. James Martin, SJ, blessing a same-sex couple the day after FS was promulgated |
His statement is not that far off from most American bishops (probably because they don't want to be Strickland-ed). What a sad time for the Church that our leaders are so weak.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. Convocar's "interpretation" was almost word for word what the Prefect Fernandez said which was parroted by so many others. In fact, I wasn't going to comment on this at all until I read Convocar's telling us to “carefully read the actual document, instead of relying on presentations or interpretations by media and other sources.” It appeared to me that he didn't read it himself and instead read right off the Fernandez script.
DeleteWhen we're dealing with a text as ambiguous as FS, we certainly have a basis to use it's author's introductory letter as an interpretive key. In this case, FS is prefaced by a letter written by Cardinal Fernández, the prefect of the Dicastery, who clearly states that FS is about "blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples". That we can bless these "couples" but not their "unions" is pure sophistry. Note the use of "irregular" instead of "sinful". A married man living with his mistress is in an "irregular relationship"?
ReplyDeleteO Lord, confound these week, effeminate men who are foisting this upon us!
Francis did recently call for the de-masculisation of the Church (do you even see men at Mass anymore!?)... so this is right on key.
DeletePope Francis said on Thursday that the “masculinizing” of the church is a “great sin” that was yet to be resolved.
Delete“This is a task I ask of you, please. Demasculinize the church.”
https://efe.com/en/portada-america/2023-11-30/pope-calls-for-de-masculinizing-of-church/#:~:text=%2D%20Pope%20Francis%20said%20on%20Thursday,is%20woman%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.
Pope Francis Says the Church’s “Great Sin” Is Being “Masculine”
Deletehttps://ucatholic.com/news/pope-francis-says-the-churchs-great-sin-is-being-masculine/