Breached?

I received in my CTK inbox the publication: “The Breached Dam: The Fiducia Supplicans Surrender to the Homosexual Movement” by Jose Antonio Ureta and Julio Loredo (2024) published by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property.  I did not request it.  It just appeared like an unwanted guest at a family gathering and celebration. What follows are a few excerpts (38-41) from Fiducia Supplicans.

(begin) 38. For this reason, one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation. At the same time, one should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing. In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, 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.

39. In any case, precisely to avoid any form of confusion or scandal, when the prayer of blessing is requested by a couple in an irregular situation, even though it is expressed outside the rites prescribed by the liturgical books, this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them. Nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding. The same applies when the blessing is requested by a same-sex couple (my emphasis).

40. Such a blessing may instead find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a group, or during a pilgrimage. Indeed, through these blessings that are given not through the ritual forms proper to the liturgy but as an expression of the Church’s maternal hearts (my emphasis) – similar to those that emanate from the core of popular piety – there is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness (my emphasis).

41. What has been said in this Declaration regarding the blessings of same-sex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and fatherly discernment of ordained ministers in this regard. Thus, beyond the guidance provided above, no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details or practicalities regarding blessings of this type. (end)

The above seems reasonable and pastoral. Apparently, the two authors disagreed and concluded the “dam has been breached.”  “Surrendering to the Homosexual Movement” is a ludicrous claim in my opinion.  They state: “blessing homosexual pairs is contrary to revelation and tradition” in part because “it is a sinful relationship.” I'm far from convinced because the pairing is based on love.

Here is one thing that especially bothers me.  I disagree with the pamphlet's Forward statement by the auxiliary bishop of the Netherlands, Rob Mutsaerts: “…God loves everyone He loves all sinners, but He hates your sins.  He fervently hopes that you will return to Him, just as He hoped for the Prodigal Son’s return.  He wants nothing more than for you to share In His love.” Since when does God hate our sins?  

God hates?  Knowing the mind of God is arrogance on the part of the one or those who claim to know what our God of love “thinks.”

Panicky thinking and alarmist rhetoric run counter to our God of love and mercy. No dam has been breached.  In fact, there never has been or is a dam.  The waters of compassion and mercy and love always flow from God to all who are open to God’s love and forgiveness.  These authors act like eager beavers trying to stop the flow.

Deacon David Pierce