Pope Francis Rebellion Grows as 90 Catholic Figures Sign Scathing Letter
document approved by Pope Francis that allows priests to bless same-sex couples for the first time.In the letter, the Catholic conservatives say that Fiducia Supplicans, a Vatican doctrine released on December 18 and signed by the Pope, would lead to the blessing of "objectively sinful" relationships.
They add that the cardinals and bishops should "forbid immediately the application of this document in your diocese" and "ask directly the Pope to urgently withdraw this unfortunate document, which is in contradiction with both Scripture and the universal and uninterrupted Tradition of the Church."The document permits the blessing of couples not considered to be married, according to the Catholic Church, including those that are same sex.
In a follow-up statement on January 4, the Vatican said: "The Declaration contains a proposal for short and simple pastoral blessings (neither liturgical nor ritualised) of couples in irregular situations (but not of their unions), underlining that these are blessings without a liturgical format which neither approve nor justify the situation in which these people find themselves."However, this has proven deeply controversial within the global church, winning praise from reformers, while infuriating conservatives and being openly opposed by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.Those who have signed the open letter include Gil Bailie, a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars; Dr.
Regis Martin, a professor of theology at Franciscan University Steubenville; and Rev. Robert Sirico, president of the Catholic St.
