The Rise and Fall of Fiducia Supplicans

Background and Context

In early 2023, the schism in the Anglican Church over the blessing of same-sex unions prompted debate within the Catholic Church. Moderate progressives objected to the 2021 Responsum by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, which reaffirmed Catholic teaching against such blessings.

In response, Victor Manuel Fernandez, the newly appointed prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, hinted at a possible opening for blessing same-sex unions without equating them with marriage.

Fiducia Supplicans: A Radical Proposal

überraschend released Fiducia Supplicans, a document that allowed for blessings of same-sex couples but left room for ambiguity regarding the blessing of their unions or relationships.

Conservative Backlash and the Press Release

Fiducia Supplicans sparked swift and widespread backlash from conservative bishops, particularly in Africa and Eastern Europe. To quell the opposition, the Vatican released a press release that attempted to clarify the document.

The press release, however, contradicted Fiducia Supplicans on several key points. It banned bishops from providing blessing guidelines, affirmed FS as consistent with the 2021 Responsum (which explicitly ruled out any blessing of homosexual unions), and allowed non-liturgical blessings, a novel concept.

The Sudden Backtracking

The press release effectively gutted Fiducia Supplicans. Pope Francis and Fernandez repeated that while homosexual people could be blessed, their unions or activist groups could not. This was a complete reversal from the perceived opening in Fiducia Supplicans.

Factors Contributing to the Backlash

Several factors contributed to the African bishops' rejection of Fiducia Supplicans:

• Lack of synodal basis for the document's release
• Increasing confidence and influence of African churches
• Lack of discretionary authority for local bishops
• Concern over seeming approval of homosexual relationships

Synodality and Decentralization

ironically, the liberal agenda for decentralization and synodality played a role in the rejection of Fiducia Supplicans. Orthodox bishops used synodal mechanisms to voice their opposition to the liberal minority.

This is a case study in the limits of ambiguous language and the power of synodality when practiced genuinely.

Conclusion

Fiducia Supplicans is now largely forgotten, but its aftermath has had significant implications. African bishops have become increasingly influential, and many cardinals are wary of another Pope who may challenge traditional Catholic teaching.