Bulletin Column: On Blessings

On Monday, December 18, 2023, the Vatican released a document, Fiducia Supplicans “On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings.” This document has received a great deal of media attention both in the secular and Catholic press due to the fact that it discusses the topic of blessing same-sex couples. Unfortunately, many of the headlines do not adequately express what the document actually says. Here is what Archbishop Hebda had to say regarding the document:

“The Declaration issued today by the DDF was intended to offer nuance to the Church’s teaching on blessings without in any way changing the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage or on sexual morality. The blessings do not imply that the Church is officially validating the status of the couple. Effort is particularly to be taken, moreover, to make sure that such blessings are not confused with the sacrament of marriage.”

As Archbishop Hebda noted, the document specifically states that Church teaching on marriage and sexuality has not changed:

“Therefore, rites and prayers that could create confusion between what constitutes marriage – which is the ‘exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children’ – and what contradicts it are inadmissible. This conviction is grounded in the perennial Catholic doctrine of marriage; it is only in this context that sexual relations find their natural, proper, and fully human meaning. The Church’s doctrine on this point remains firm.” (4)

However, most people read headlines, not Vatican documents. What is concerning to me is that some will see this document as a small step towards getting the Church to change her teachings on marriage and sexuality – something that will never happen. No person, not even the Pope, has the power to change the Word of God.

In my opinion, while it is clear this document does not change Church teaching, it is pastorally imprudent and confusing in other ways. Even I, a Catholic priest of over 10 years, find aspects of this document hard to understand, and, unfortunately, because of its ambiguity, this document will cause more confusion in the Church. When looking at the headlines from the last few days, the confusion has already begun.

All people are invited to follow Christ, but we follow Him on His terms, not on ours. Nowhere does the document on blessings mention the need for repentance or conversion for people in irregular situations or same-sex relationships. Obviously, blessings are a good thing. At the end of every Mass, I give a blessing to everyone present – that blessing does not endorse the sinful actions of any person in the pews. Also, when someone is seeking conversion and asking for the grace to do so, he or she should be blessed.

However, the document seems to imply that every person asking for a blessing while in an irregular or same-sex relationship is actually seeking to fulfill God’s will and not seeking a blessing of their sinful union. That seems naive. I am deeply concerned that some people in irregular or same-sex relationships will use this document to request a priestly blessing, will not be challenged to reform their lives, and will believe the Church accepts their union. I am also concerned that faithful Catholics will be tempted to believe that the Church has erred in her teachings and that the legalistic distinctions elaborated in the document will make little difference to how many people will view these blessings. They will be viewed by some, at some level, as actual Church recognition of irregular and same-sex unions.

Clarity is charity. When the Church fails to clearly teach the Catholic faith, souls are put in danger. Please join me in praying for the Church and her leaders, as well as those who are far from Christ because of the choices they have made, and all those who are troubled or misled by this situation.

During the Christmas season, we celebrate the truth that God sent His only Son to save us from our sins. May all of us make room in our hearts for Jesus this Christmas season by seeking to conform our lives according to His Word.

Father Brian Park
Pastor