The Vatican’s doctrinal office emphasized that the measure is neither “heretical” nor “blasphemous.”
In response to disquiet among Catholic bishops, particularly in certain African countries, following the approval of blessings for same-sex couples last month, the Vatican on Thursday issued a five-page statement to allay concerns.
The statement from the Vatican’s doctrinal office stressed that the measure is neither “heretical” nor “blasphemous.”
The December 18 declaration, known as Fiducia Supplicans (Supplying Trust), sparked varying degrees of dissent and confusion, prompting the need for further clarification. The Vatican’s doctrinal office recognized the complexity of the issue, particularly in countries where people who receive such blessings could face violence, imprisonment or even death.
The statement stressed that the blessings should not be interpreted as an official endorsement of gay sex or a sacrament of marriage for same-sex couples. The episcopal conferences of several countries had already clarified this point after the initial declaration.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for doctrinal matters, stressed in its statement on Thursday that the blessings should not be seen as an approval of the overall actions or lifestyles of individuals. He called for a full and calm reading of the original statement, while reiterating the non-heretical nature of the measure within the tradition of the Church.
The issuance of a lengthy clarification shortly after the initial statement highlighted the widespread confusion it generated. The Vatican sought to quell any doctrinal concerns and emphasized the importance of understanding the Fiducia Supplicans without doctrinal deviations or misinterpretations.
