(Crisis magazine. Bishop Athanasius Schneider).
The Document Fiducia Supplicans, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on December 18, 2023, and approved by Pope Francis, regarding the possibility of granting “simple,” “spontaneous,” “short,” and “non-liturgical” blessings to couples cohabitating in adultery or in same-sex relationships, deeply and detrimentally affects the Catholic Church as a whole, as well as local Catholic communities. The authorization to “bless” same-sex or adulterous unions does not express an authentically “pastoral” care, because such a “blessing” is not actually a “blessing” in the true Biblical sense. True blessing can occur only when those seeking it are ready to accept the Church’s teaching concerning that for which they seek the blessing and are willing to repent and live according to Church teaching if such is not the case. Those who have willingly turned away from God’s commandments and lead a life that is displeasing to Him, offend Him, are consciously rejecting His grace, and cannot effectively receive God’s blessing without first repenting of their sinful lifestyle.