I have read the papal declaration [Fiducia supplicans] concerning blessing couples in same sex marriages, and those not legally married according to the laws of the Catholic Church. I have read the said Declaration at least five times. I perhaps read it as many as seven times.
The following are some of my brief comments. All blessings come from God [see #19]. First of all the pope never blesses the relationship between those in same sex marriages or those who are not legally married according to the Church’s Canon Law. The minister blessing the couple blesses the two individuals not their relationship. Then there is the interesting fact that the ministers of the Church are asked for a blessing. [The word “ask” or a synonym is used more than ten times]. The blessing does not just come out of the sky or out of thin air.
This being the case those who ask for a blessing implicitly shows that they have faith in God. How deep their faith is is unknown to us; but the fact that they have asked for a blessing implicitly shows faith in the infinite love of God. See especially paragraph #21, #33 and #34 in the Declaration.
Whether this couple will be converted or change their lifestyle is unknown to us. But the fact that they have begun with faith is a good starting point. The sin of the world is great, but not infinite; God’s merciful love is infinite [see #22].
Let it be noted that the Declaration affirms five or six times the Church’s traditional teaching of marriage. Neither does it affirm the relationship between same sex couples or people not married according to Canon Law as a legal Church ritual.
One final point before I finish my comments. Suppose I was a homosexual linked with a same sex partner. Previously, the Church has clearly and obviously been against me and my partner and our relationship. Now with this Declaration some Church ministers are willing to bless me and my partner. It is clear to me that my feelings towards the Church who blesses is much more positive than it was previously towards a Church who condemns. Will I convert as a result? There is no telling what the future brings. But for myself I would much prefer to get nearer to the blessing Church than the admonishing Church.
Personally, I very much approve of the Declaration. I have taken to heart the pope’s admonition: not to judge and deny, reject and exclude [see #13], and have taken quite a different positive attitude towards the Declaration.
Father Marciano Baptista, SJ
