Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, amidst the many reactions that have followed the publication of the document ‘FIDUCIA SUPLICANS‘ (i.e the document that recommends non-liturgical blessings for the Same-sex persons), I have seen certain reasons to say ‘Thanks’.
Now, from the very day that this document was published (i.e December 18, 2023), I have followed with keen interest the unfolding of reactions from Bishops’ Conferences, Church Officials, Catholics, Non-Catholics and even Anti-Catholics. It is only when all the above are considered that you would understand what I am saying.
Before the publication of this document, a number of Catholics do not really know the Church’s teaching on same-sex (homosexuality) and may not have read it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or any Church Document. But this document (Fiducia Supplicans) has made it possible for many Catholics and even Non-Catholics to go, searched and read in clear language the Church’s teaching on the above as many Bishops, Priests and Lay faithful had to reaffirm the clear teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church thus:
HOMOSEXUALITY refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex… They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life… UNDER NO circumstances can they be approved (CCC n. 2357).
They also buttressed the above with Scriptural references, like: Lev 18:22-23, Gen 19:4-11, 1 Cor 6:9-10 and Rom 1:26-33. Hence, with the strong reactions that followed the document, our brothers and sisters who are already trapped in the same-sex relationship and those intending to follow such lifestyle came to a clearer understanding that it is a NO, NO, in the Church of Jesus Christ. Thus, they have seen that the only option left for them is total REPENTANCE which has to lead to CONVERSION and abandonment of such lifestyle.
👉🏼Another and more interesting achievement of the document (Fiducia Supplicans) is that it gave the ANTI-CATHOLICS the greatest shock and surprise of their lives. Many of them rejoiced at the publication of the document and used it as a platform to speak all kinds of ill against the Catholic Church, her Leaders and Ministers. They thought that in few weeks time, that Catholic Parish Churches would be empty. Unfortunately, they got the opposite of what they expected. To their utmost shock, Catholics all over the world united even more, reaffirmed what they always believed in (i.e “MARRIAGE as an exclusive, stable and indissoluble union between a MAN and a WOMAN which is naturally open to PROCREATION” – cf. FS 4, Can 1055-1056) and then became more committed to their Catholic Faith. These ANTI-CATHOLICS failed to understand that the Source of our Unity is beyond them.
👉🏼Finally, some of the Countries that have been agitating and seeking for the Catholic Church’s approval of same-sex UNION only got a definitive answer with ‘Fiducia Supplicans‘ and that is: NEVER EVER. This answer of Fiducia Supplicans only reaffirms the 2021 RESPONSUM of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which, refering to Same-sex union, says: “God does not and cannot bless SIN” (cf. Paragraph 11).
So, by and large, we can also say: ‘THANKS’ to ‘Fiducia Supplicans‘, for helping us reaffirm the TRUTH of our faith!
Remain blessed🙏🏼
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