Though the media once again has misinterpreted, distorted an/or confused people (especially Catholics) when "reporting" on the latest Declaration from the Vatican, Fiducia Supplicans (On The Pastoral Meaning of Blessings), we in the Catholic Church should always get the most accurate information and interpretation of Church documents and declarations from the Vatican AND from our bishops who are each charged to pastorally implement what is promulgated in their respective dioceses.
Some of the bishops of Africa, where homosexuality is a crime, have put out pastoral statements such as the one from Cameroon which reiterates their disapproval of homosexual unions and go on to say "Consequently, we formally forbid all blessings of homosexual couples in the Church of Cameroon".
On December 27, the Cardinal (Victor Manuel Fernandez) who is the prefect of the Discastery for the Doctrine of the Faith says it is up to each local bishop through discernment to implement this Declaration in their diocese when it come to the propriety or impropriety of giving blessings to individuals who are living in irregular unions. Bishop Taylor, in his statement issued on December 19, reminded us in Arkansas of the differing pastoral concerns and approaches throughout the worldwide Church.
One thing that should be clear TO all bishops, priests and laypeople and FROM our bishops to the lairy is that "Fiducia Supplicans" reaffirms the Traditional teaching of the Church that marriage is to be defined and ritualized ONLY between a man and woman.
I hope that Bishop Taylor will continue to instruct our clergy as to the proper setting and language that couples and individuals who ask for a blessing, and the proper discernment that should take place before blessings are given. I will always ask people what they are asking a blessing for, before I pray for them. When necessary, I make it clear what is being blessed and/or what is not being blessed so as to avoid any confusion before the prayer is prayed. I can only hope that my brotheeer priests and deacons will do something similar as we must one day stand before the judgement seat of God as to waht we have done with the faculties and privileges we have been blessed with through our ordination.
Some of the bishops of Africa, where homosexuality is a crime, have put out pastoral statements such as the one from Cameroon which reiterates their disapproval of homosexual unions and go on to say "Consequently, we formally forbid all blessings of homosexual couples in the Church of Cameroon".
On December 27, the Cardinal (Victor Manuel Fernandez) who is the prefect of the Discastery for the Doctrine of the Faith says it is up to each local bishop through discernment to implement this Declaration in their diocese when it come to the propriety or impropriety of giving blessings to individuals who are living in irregular unions. Bishop Taylor, in his statement issued on December 19, reminded us in Arkansas of the differing pastoral concerns and approaches throughout the worldwide Church.
One thing that should be clear TO all bishops, priests and laypeople and FROM our bishops to the lairy is that "Fiducia Supplicans" reaffirms the Traditional teaching of the Church that marriage is to be defined and ritualized ONLY between a man and woman.
I hope that Bishop Taylor will continue to instruct our clergy as to the proper setting and language that couples and individuals who ask for a blessing, and the proper discernment that should take place before blessings are given. I will always ask people what they are asking a blessing for, before I pray for them. When necessary, I make it clear what is being blessed and/or what is not being blessed so as to avoid any confusion before the prayer is prayed. I can only hope that my brotheeer priests and deacons will do something similar as we must one day stand before the judgement seat of God as to waht we have done with the faculties and privileges we have been blessed with through our ordination.