Peru's bishop challenges Vatican: Church text calls for disobedience to ban blessing of same-sex couples

In an unpublished pastoral message that has attracted the attention of the international press, including the media of the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Moyobamba, Monsignor Rafael EscuderoThere has been strong criticism against this announcement 'Fiducia Supplines'A document released last December by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the blessing of same-sex couples, or “irregular circumstances.”

A leader of Spanish nationality, with a marked bias towards homosexuality The Church called on the priests under its jurisdiction to ignore the text, because, in its view, these blessings are contrary to the “cooperation” of the institution, which represents “grave abuse of the holy name of God” and “objectively sinful”. A form of fornication.” , adultery or even worse homosexual activity.”

Escudero's stance distances itself from the published position Pope Francisco Earlier last year, when he condemned the criminalization of same-sex relationships around the world. “Criminalizing homosexuals is an injustice. I'm not talking about groups, this is something else, the lobby is something else. “I am talking about the people, and the teachings of the Church already say that no one should be marginalized,” he declared at the time.

In 'Fiducia Supplies', Argentine Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “considers that the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples can be understood without officially verifying their 'status' or changing anything. The way of the Church's perennial teaching on marriage.”

This faculty, which follows the papal will, was issued in March 2021 by the council – then directed by the Spanish Luis Lataria Ferrer – and represented a change in position when the Church indicated that it could not give its blessing. Same-sex unions.

“In the mystery of his love, through Christ, God communicates to his Church the power to bless. Given by God to men and by them to their neighbors, the blessing is transformed into inclusion, unity and peace. It is a positive message of consolation, attention and encouragement,” the text says.

Despite the opening of the couple's blessing, the The Vatican Conducted by German clergy, the Holy See, despite its dissent, still considers rites or prayers that “may cause confusion as to what marriage is,” such as offering “acts of blessing,” to be “impermissible.”

“A rite to bless couples in irregular situations should not be encouraged or offered, but the intimacy of the Church should not be prevented or prohibited in every situation where God's help is sought through a simple blessing”, the doctrine says.

however, Monsignor Escudero “This distinction confuses and perplexes people because the act of blessing, whether done in a worship meeting or privately, by a minister, is the same blessing.”

2019 to the Dean who was Speaker Synod for Amazon Summed up by Francis in Rome, the fundamental problem is more serious because some bishops and priests “have long confused God's people with the blind blessing of these unions, which are objectively irregular, therefore sinful, terrible.” Sacrifice”.

This is happening in a country where more than 1.7 million citizens identify as gender non-identifying, with no policies on gender identity, alternative quotas, civil unions or equal marriage. According to a survey cited by the Office of the Ombudsman, 19% of Peruvians agree with the position of the Bishop of Moyobamba and Homosexuality It is a disease.