Catechism on the New Gay Blessings Document

The following was written by a very holy priest and friend of mine with only a few additions on my part – Michael Lofton I. Introductory Questions 1. What is the Magisterium of the Catholic Church? The Magisterium, aka., Teaching Authority, of the Catholic Church is the Roman Pontiff (the Pope) and the Bishops in […]

The following was written by a very holy priest and friend of mine with only a few additions on my part – Michael Lofton

I. Introductory Questions

1. What is the Magisterium of the Catholic Church?

The Magisterium, aka., Teaching Authority, of the Catholic Church is the Roman Pontiff (the Pope) and the Bishops in union with him.

2. What is the role of the Magisterium with regard to what Catholics are to believe?

The role of the Magisterium with regard to what Catholics are to believe is to offer authoritative teachings on faith and morals to be believed by the faithful of the Church.

3. On what authority does the Magisterium exercise this role of teaching the faithful?

The Magisterium exercises this role of teaching the faithful on the authority of Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Church, who gave this authority to Peter, the first Pope, and to the Apostles, whose successors are the bishops.

4. What disposition ought a Catholic have with respect to the Magisterium when it teaches authoritatively?

When the Magisterium teaches authoritatively, a Catholic ought to have a disposition of humble docility towards these authoritative teachings.

5. Why ought a Catholic have a disposition of humble docility towards the Magisterium when it teaches authoritatively?

A Catholic ought to have a disposition of humble docility towards the Magisterium when it teaches authoritatively because when the Magisterium so teaches, it is teaching in the name of Jesus Christ who said to His Apostles, “He who hears you, hears me,” and this same saying applies also to the Magisterium.

6. Is Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings) an authoritative teaching of the Magisterium?

Yes, Fiducia Supplicans is an authoritative teaching of the Magisterium as it was approved by the pope in common form and was promulgated in the form of a declaration.

7. Ought, then, a Catholic receive the teachings of Fiducia Supplicans with a disposition of humble docility?

Yes, a Catholic receive the teachings of Fiducia Supplicans with a disposition of humble docility since it is an authoritative teaching of the Magisterium of Christ’s Holy Church. In most cases, dissent from the document results in incurring “grave sin” (Pope Pius X, Praestantia Scripturae).

II. Catechesis on Fiducia Supplicans

8. Why was Fiducia Supplicans written?

Fiducia Supplicans was written to respond to various questions from different parts of the world about the proper use of blessings by ordained ministers – especially in light of certain abuses that have recently crept into the church by various prelates.

9. What is the main topic of Fiducia Supplicans?

The main topic of Fiducia Supplicans is the pastoral meaning of blessings.  

10. Does Fiducia Supplicans contradict or overturn previous Church teaching, such as the 2021 CDF document on this same topic?

No, Fiducia Supplicans does not contradict or overturn previous Church teaching, including the 2021 CDF document on this same topic, but, rather, by its own words, continues the perennial teaching of Holy Mother Church and deepens the concepts put forward in the 2021 CDF document.

11.  Why did the Holy Father issue this document, given the fact that so many, for whatever reasons, misinterpret it?

The Holy Father issued this document, despite the fact so many, for whatever reasons, would misinterpret it, because he needed to respond to the errors of certain German Bishops, and others, about these blessings.

12. How many kinds of blessings are there, according to Fiducia Supplicans?

According to Fiducia Supplicans, there are three kinds of blessings.

13. What are these three kinds of blessings?

The three kinds of blessings are the following: 1.) A blessing from God to man, by which God pours gifts and helps upon man.  2.) A blessing from man to God, by which man praises God for His goodness and majesty.  3.) A blessing from man to man, by which man serves as an instrument of God to his fellow man to pour down God’s helps upon this fellow man.  

14. Can sin be blessed?

No, the church has always taught that sin cannot be the object of a blessing.

15. Can sinners be blessed?

Yes, sinners can be the object of a blessing. Examples include during the liturgy when the priest blesses the whole congregation, when people who are not properly disposed to receive the Eucharist approach the priest for a blessing, and when an unrepentant person approaches a priest in the confessional for absolution. In the latter case, the priest withholds absolution but offers a blessing.

16. Are homosexual actions sins?

Yes, homosexual acts are sins.

17. Can homosexual acts be blessed?

No, homosexual acts cannot be the object of a blessing because they are sins.

18. Can those persons who fall into the sin of homosexual acts be the object of a blessing?

Yes, persons who fall into the sin of homosexual acts can be the object of a blessing.

19. Does blessing a person who habitually falls into the sin of homosexual acts serve as approval of that sin?

No, blessing a person who habitually falls into the sin of homosexual acts does not serve as approval of that sin, but, rather, serves as a sign that the person needs God’s graces to overcome that vice.

20. If a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts with each other are blessed, does that necessarily mean that their sins are being approved by that blessing?

No, if a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts with each other are blessed, that does not necessarily mean that their sins are being approved by that blessing.

21. May a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts with each other be blessed?

Yes, a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts may be blessed, provided that the blessing is given in such a way that it is clear to the couple and to others that it is not their sins that are being blessed or approved, but, rather, that they, as persons, may overcome their vices and that their relationship be transformed from one that is sinful to one that is chaste. In other words, the persons of the gay couple are the object of the blessing – not the union of the gay couple.

22. Should a blessing be given to such a couple who do not desire to overcome their sin?

No, a blessing should not be given to a couple who do not desire to overcome their sin, but only to those who request a blessing because they are looking for strength from God to be chaste. In fact, Fiducia Supplicans expressly envisions the blessings in question for those who wish to follow God’s commands and will for their life.

23. How is it not a contradiction to hold that an ordained minister can bless such a couple in this manner in light of what the CDF taught in 2021 when it ruled that a same-sex union cannot be blessed?

It is not a contradiction to hold that an ordained minister can bless such a couple in this manner in light of what the CDF taught in 2021 when it ruled that a same-sex union cannot be blessed because what the CDF taught in 2021 was that the same-sex unions cannot be blessed precisely as same-sex unions, i.e., as sinful unions, for sin cannot be blessed, i.e., approved.  Fiducia Supplicans affirms this teaching, but goes on to say that the persons of the couple can be blessed provided that it is clear that the sins which they may have committed, and may still commit, are not being approved. In this way, Fiducia Supplicans is a further explanation of the 2021 decision by the CDF.

24. What good could possibly come from an ordained minister blessing a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts with each other?

The good that could possibly come from an ordained minister blessing a couple who habitually fall into the sin of homosexual acts with each other is that the couple will be given actual graces from God to overcome their vice and they will realize that their heavenly Father loves them which will help them overcome their sin.

25. How ought a Catholic respond when faced with the commonly held opinion that the Church, in Fiducia Supplicans, has changed her teaching on the sinfulness of homosexual acts?

When faced with the commonly held opinion that the Church, in Fiducia Supplicans, has changed her teaching on homosexual acts is to assert that this is not the case and to show, through the making of proper distinctions, how this is the case. In fact, such is the duty of ever faithful Catholic according to the Magisterium itself.

26. Can the persons of the same-sex couple receive the blessing simultaneously?

Fiducia Supplicans expressly guards against any form of blessing that would result in scandal, confusion or the appearance of blessing the union itself. In light of these qualifications, the blessings should not be administered to the persons of the disordered union simultaneously but individually.

27. Doesn’t the reference in Fiducia Supplicans to “blessings of couples in irregular situations and of couples of the same sex” proof that the object of the blessing is the same-sex union itself?

No. Blessings of couples can be understood in two senses: a blessing of the persons of the couple or a blessing of the union of the couple. Fiducia Supplicans goes to great length to note the blessing is for the persons of the couple, not the union of the couple.