What does ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ mean for people in the pews?
Pope Francis’ recent declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings), has garnered much attention around the globe, including everything from enthusiastic endorsements to cries of heresy and schism. These responses were so dramatic and varied, in fact, that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith followed up with a press release “concerning the reception of Fiducia Supplicans.”
Fiducia Supplicans, however, cannot be reduced to random sound bites or indiscriminately chopped up for meaty quotes. To truly understand the significance of this document, one must examine the declaration for what it is: a discourse on the pastoral meaning of blessings. Part of this discourse includes consideration of couples in irregular situations and couples of the same sex.
Fiducia Supplicans begins by taking a firm stance on the traditional church doctrine about marriage. In fact, this is explicitly stated within the document, noting that the church does not have the power to confer blessings to unions that “presume to be marriage” or those that involve “extra-marital sexual practice.” Similarly, the declaration clearly states that blessings should never be performed with ceremonies of a civil union or “with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.”
The novelty of the declaration, however, is a “broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding of blessings” that is grounded in pastoral charity and an adamant reminder that it is indeed God who blesses. The grace of God “works in the lives of those who do not claim to be righteous but who acknowledge themselves humbly, as sinners, like everyone else. This grace can orient everything according to the mysterious and unpredictable designs of God.” Thus, couples in irregular situations and same sex couples may receive blessings. The caveat here is that these blessings are spontaneous and not to be confused with liturgical or sacramental rites. With this, the ordained minister “could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue, and mutual assistance—but also God’s light and strength to be able to fulfill his will completely.”
To say that Fiducia Supplicans somehow undermines the traditional understanding of marriage is a dangerous misreading of the declaration. But so too is the claim that Fiducia Supplicans endorses a sacramental or liturgical rite for blessings of couples in irregular situations, including couples of the same sex. Rather, Fiducia Supplicans is a sincere and pastorally grounded attempt to make known the love of God to all people, for the church is the “sacrament of God’s infinite love,” and a blessing is an “invitation to draw even closer to the love of Christ.”
The press release concerning the reception of Fiducia Supplicans, issued just a few weeks after the initial proclamation, responds to the critiques from all sides. It begins: “We are writing this press release to help clarify the reception of Fiducia Supplicans, while recommending at the same time a full and calm reading of the declaration so as to better understand its meaning and purpose.” Without backtracking on the original statement, the press release reiterates the contents of the original proclamation and notes—in response to some bishops—that the declaration is not heretical, contrary to the tradition of the church, or blasphemous.
The press release does, however, note that for practical reasons the application of the declaration may take time in some locations and contexts. Additionally, the potential need for catechesis is also noted. Even so, these “different methods of application” cannot be a “total or definitive denial” of the expectations of Fiducia Supplicans.
How can I receive a blessing?
Based on Fiducia Supplicans, LGBTQ couples should feel supported by the church (and her ministers) when they seek a blessing. It is important, however for “couples in irregular situations and couples of the same sex” to know what they can (and cannot) expect from this blessing.
First, the declaration makes it clear that the blessing cannot be part of a liturgical rite, nor can it be associated with a sacramental celebration of matrimony or a civil celebration of marriage. Second, the press release notes that these blessings do not “intend to justify anything that is not morally acceptable.” Rather, the document states that the couple should come forward as “two persons who ask for God’s help.” In these cases, the pastor or priest “does not impose conditions and does not enquire about the intimate lives of these people.”
These “pastoral blessings” must be very short, “lasting a few seconds, without an approved ritual or without a book of blessings.” The word “spontaneous” is used multiple times, suggesting that the request for the blessing should not be prearranged and “must not take place in a prominent place within a sacred building, or in front of an altar.”
The press release offers an example of what this blessing may look like, followed by a sign of the cross on each of the two persons: “Lord, look at these children of yours, grant them health, work, peace, and mutual help. Free them from everything that contradicts your gospel and allow them to live according to your will. Amen.”
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