2023: The Fiducia Fiasco, Synodality, Fr. Rupnik, and more

Don’t miss this candid, lively, and extended conversation with Fr. Gerald Murray, Diane Montagna, Edward Pentin, and TCT Editor-in-chief Robert Royal on the recent Vatican document on blessing same-sex “couples” (and the sharp reaction to it around the world), the year of synodality, the cases of Cardinal Burke, Fr. Rupnik, and Cardinal Becciu, Christian persecution, and prospects for the Church in 2024.

[@soniafell8267]

God bless from a 68 years old cradle to grave Catholic this as broken my heart. This should not even be talk about never mind giving approval.

[@selamethiopia1157]

Thank you for the discussion. It is encouraging as Fr. Murray said let us focus on the Gospel, the Good News. Let us try to live virtuous life and pray the Church! Come Holy Sprit! Ave Maria!

[@gg-33]

Excellent show , love hearing Faithful Catholics give their opinions

[@IreneTanedo-md9ux]

Very intelligent and meaningful analysis and commentaries by Mr. Royal, Father Murray, Mr. Pentin and Diane Montagna. Many thanks for this very informative podcast. God bless all of you ❤

[@lindaokeefe4526]

The vague & ambiguous language and the contradictions coming out of the Vatican is so worrisome.

[@auspiciomiranda-rodrigues9336]

Lord Jesus,Take Care of Everything!

[@lizmiddleton2382]

Thanks 👍 great Panel of people 👏 great job on the insight. It just breaks my heart listening about our great Cardinals, Bishops, and Priest's who are being purchased by Francis. 😢

[@Winston-op5de]

An excellent discussion. One of the best I have heard about the status of our Church today. The four of you should be discussing different subjects happening in our Church in 2024. Great job! Thanks and Happy New Year to all of you.

[@CJChesspnp]

They are the best “boots in the ground” anywhere in the American Catholic Church

[@ck337]

The only good thing about this document is that it’s making the really good orthodox faithful Catholic priests bishops and faithful STAND UP SO WE CAN HEAR THEM. And it makes us feel much less alone then we did a few years ago.

[@declancronin437]

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom please bless our Church, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops and Priests.. 🙏

[@mikebolognese7134]

Diane gives me great hope for the faith. This young woman besides being so intelligent loves the faith dearly. How beautiful. How inspirational.

[@theomimesis]

As an Orthodox Christian I pray for a speedy end of the present pontificate.

[@marycorriston5090]

So exactly what are you "praying" for?

[@theomimesis]

@@marycorriston5090 - The end of a terrible and highly damaging pontificate. I leave the manner of the end to the wisdom of God.

[@donaldbush1182]

Isn’t praying for the death of the pope kinda sick? Have you asked God to do the dirty deed in any particular way?

[@zuzuspetals8323]

Thank you for your refreshing, hopeful clarity. Peace and blessings to all. 🕊

[@mmont]

Wow, what a stellar lineup! Thank you.

[@johncollins8304]

'Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue!' rabbits His Humbleness with his fingers rammed in his ears.

[@atombomb31458]

this pope is a real piece of work

[@marycarolvidrine244]

How I count on you 4 for factual, heartfelt news on this very serious crisis with in our beloved, confused, hurting Church. Thank you.

[@dorotheaivanovna9457]

The silence of the Pope on ongoing Christian persecution is very troubling.

[@Heart_on_Fire1]

Great analysis. Thank you for the provoking thoughts and comments. It's sad to know we are heading down the road of perdition. Moral confusion is not from God. Pray for the shepherds of Bishop Strickland and Cardinal Burke to lead us in this fight for the sacredness of marriage and the sanctity of life. Saint Lucia of Fatima prophesized, " The final or decisive battle between the Kingdom of God and Satan will be over marriage and family." I was in this battle 16 years ago on a pilgrimage where God intervened to save my marriage. My life has been transformed completely. Pray for the conversion of hearts.

[@beverlysivula4147]

I've never watched your blog before, but I am so grateful that I saw and was drawn to this one. Excellent! Thank you so much. For the first time in quite a long time, I have hope that good will come from all this negativity in our Church, and I hope that we will turn back to the Truth. Praise God! Thank you again.

[@dianefrank3688]

Thank you for this informative discussion on the important situations going on in the Catholic church at this time.

[@TheAuntMar-USA]

Thank you all for taking the time to engage in this discussion. God bless you.

[@CJChesspnp]

The Vatican wants to see how far they can push the proverbial envelope….

[@TheAuntMar-USA]

@@CJChesspnp… it does seem so. Next up will be a document of similar instruction about allowing women to be “deaconettes” - without actually changing the church teaching on “male only” priests and deacons … … so technically these women will not be “deaconesses” … They will only be dressed like and perform the duties of deacons. That document too will have “deniability” that anything has changed. It’s so upsetting to see what’s going on. I think Jesus may be coming soon. Lord have mercy on us all.

[@CJChesspnp]

@@TheAuntMar-USA 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TheAuntMar-USA]

@@CJChesspnp … 🙏 …

[@WilberWiley]

THANK GOD FOR FR MURRAY

[@mikebolognese7134]

I loved this discussion. All of my favorite catholic writers/commentators were here. FANTASTIC!!!!

[@michellemeiers8309]

Thank you for this my heart is so very troubled ❤🛐🛐🛐 praying for the Pope and feeling lost.

[@gregory4154]

Be strong. Trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. As a believer in Our Lord, you know it must get worse -- much worse. I'm afraid we will not recognize our Church in a few years. ☹ Regardless, Christ will restore. It is our duty to remain true to the very end.

[@soniavadnjal7553]

Hold on to Christ and you won't feel lost.

[@user-wo2kr1gu1c]

We were warned by our Blessed Mother, Mary that this will happen in our church but it will pass because our Lord Jesus is the owner of the Catholic church, not the pope. Our Catholic church was not founded by man, it was by Our Lord Jesus who founded it and so this will pass.

[@sandraelder1101]

GREAT SHOW! Thanks. Cardinal Pell, ora pro nobis!

[@wendyharrap8771]

Christmas Season’s Greetings from Tasmania! 🎄. Thanks for gathering an excellent team to explain things of the Truths of our Faith. Happy and Exciting New Year 2024! 😊 🎄 🎉.

[@SmithsnMoz]

This is Exactly how holy "communion in the hand" got started 50yrs ago.

[@francescob3574]

Add girl alter servers and “extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist” to that same playbook too

[@eabm1984]

Communion in the hand was how it was ORIGINALLY done. Your bad Catechism is not the fault of Vatican II.

[@Mike-JMJ]

@@eabm1984 THANK YOU for pointing that out. So many people don't realize communion on the tongue is "innovative" in the history of the Church.

[@SmithsnMoz]

It's been an utter disaster in the church... Why don't you simply listen to what the Saints say about communion in the hand.. Reverence for Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist .

[@stephanilance289]

It's called having REVERENCE. Kneeling and receiving on the tongue. A lowering of one's self with humility in the presence of God.​@@Mike-JMJ

[@angelakeen5330]

Thank you all so much. God bless. Our Lady and St. Joseph pray for us. ❤

[@janesherry5276]

Thank you and God Bless all of you for this honest, insightful, and inspiring presentation of the truth! The truths of Our Lord Jesus Christ are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and it is a blessing to hear Faithful Catholics such as yourselves witness to the truth publicly. God Bless you all🙏🙏🙏.

[@marjoriehoglund8754]

My Holy Priest in Michigan is asking us for PRAYERS OF REPARATION FOR THIS DOCUMENT ! He has THANKED THE BISHOPS OF AFRICA FOR SPEAKING UP ! Great Panel ! ALL OF YOU ARE CLEAR WITH YOUR EXPLANATIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT ! Thank you ! Blessings from Michigan !

[@sandraelder1101]

Has your bishop made a statement? We have an orthodox, faithful bishop (Grand Rapids diocese), but sadly he has accepted this doc.

[@christineOFS]

yes, reparation by the holy priests, bishops and laypeope. I will start praying the Stations of the Cross of Fridays in addition to the Holy Rosary for Priests.

[@sandraelder1101]

@@christineOFS That’s great. Which diocese are you in?

[@christineOFS]

​@@sandraelder1101AOToronto

[@user-gg1kk9jp9u]

Christ words - If you love me, keep my commandments.

[@colleen5872]

Good morning from california. Thank you for speaking out on this topic. Its THE issue of our day...i saw it coming since the 70s and 80s as i lived those years and saw what was happening in the world and the church. Everyone around me seemed not to be aware. We went from...this will NEVER happen...to legalized gay marriage...to gay and trans adopting ...to now blessing the unions...ive seen it all now. Pray pray pray

[@camhammer6147]

And their still telling you us we’re crazy and we’re standing on flat ground. Pray indeed ☦️

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

We're not blessing unions- the document explicitly denies/forbids that. What is allowed is the blessing of couples (not unions) who desire grace to live according to God's law (which includes living chastly). And there is a difference. And that's not a very difficult distinction to make (between union and couple). There are MUCH more difficult distinctions to be made in theology about much more important matters, eg., distinction between nature and person in Trinitarian and Incarnational theology. This is not difficult theology in Fiducia Supplicans, at least not compared to these heavier matters. Even a mediocre theologian should be able to see this...provided he is WILLING to see it and isn't closing his mind off to seeing it for some irrational bias...

[@user-gl5ux5xk3k]

it's giving a blessing to someone who will continue to indulge in a specific sin @@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448

[@wpmaguire1]

@@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448 Right, and the Church is now authorized to bless a mom and a daughter as an s-s “couple” but not at the same time bless their incestuous “union.” After all, the Church would be merely blessing the “positive aspects” of their relationship but not their disordered and objectively sinful “union.” Wink, wink 😉

[@tvirus62]

Unions arent being blessed ! Says so in the document ! You all need to be blessed to heal your impaired vision or mind or both !!! Or to stop attacking the Magesterium and the Papacy !!!

[@mikebolognese7134]

Why hasn’t the USCCB spoken out against this horrible document? Why do they let their priests out in the cold? Should priests have to make these decisions to be judged to by saying yes or no to bless these couples? Thank you Archbishop Chaput for your article which takes a stand for the timeless truth of Christ.

[@marycorriston5090]

The USCCB hasn't spoken out against the document because it understands the document.

[@janeyount8412]

The US bishops leave their priests out in the cold because they (the bishops) aren't orthodox. I can envision homosexual couples complaining to modernist bishops that a priest refused to bless them. What do you think will happen to that priest?

[@sandraelder1101]

The USCCB did make a statement. They are in favor of it. However, they mistakingly say it’s about blessing “people” leaving out the fact that it’s about blessing “couples.”

[@marybrito4405]

Thank you so much for speaking out we need good Shepherd's to Shepherd us, not wolves in sheeps clothing to scatter the flock! I'm 77 years old and a great-grandmother remember Jesus said you will know them by their works

[@FrDanielMaria]

Thank you for this excellent, insightful conversation---it is very rare to see, during these tumultuous times and with so many heated issues, conversations that are so sensible and both bold and charitable. Wonderful work, you got a new subscriber!

[@user-zx6oj7uz8w]

Me too!

[@nomassgoer8350]

Please don’t support these people. They’re worse than MSNBC at reporting.

[@Dee-mj3pu]

Great discussion! Thank you all!!

[@joanhooper95]

The blindess is getting worse the lies are getting worse every day wake up world 🌎 😅

[@Sandra-faith]

This is all beyond belief! But the truth is being revealed and that's a good thing despite the injustices and mess. The Lord is cleaning house.

[@tonny-leonard]

Excellent analysis of recent Church events.

[@sisterb8688]

I consider it a sort of crime to take away the pension he WORKED for all his life. He served the Church all his life! What a grave injustice! And who is inflicting this injustice!

[@mariaadhiambo4738]

Pope Francis 😅

[@marycorriston5090]

Cardinal Burke

[@steinfonell4915]

Brilliant pod.

[@debby2131]

Thank you for this excellent conversation on critical issues that face the church. I feel quite sad for Cardinal Burke and wonder if a canon lawyer could intervene on his behalf. Bravo to the African bishops who won't be implementing fiducia fiasco. God bless you all. Merry Christmas!

[@jeffsumner3255]

Hello to you all ! ! It's a great relief to hear an honest narrative of the harm this document has done. I can't believe all the people who claim this document is meaningless, or... is a big disappointment to liberal minded individuals. How dumb do they think we are ? ? All these peoples explanations and then more explanations is completely and utterly absurd. ------------------- may it somehow still be a Happy New Year to you all ! !

[@user-rh4uw8cb2j]

Ed Pentin is just great! Clear, articulate, and very easy to listen to! Happy 2024 to you all, and keep up the good work!

[@vrgg8376]

Thank you for this review of the year with such an excellent panel of commentators.

[@paulturner5679]

Fr. Malachi Martin was right about everything pray pray pray ✝️🌹🙏🦁🦅

[@maryannstypa4859]

Praise you dear Jesus- these faithful Catholics are proof You have not left us orphans! Thank you Lord. Bless them for their faith and courage to speak our! Pax Christi !

[@debbiegraham5585]

Cardinal Burke can come live with us ❤

[@carolynschuster291]

Dianne Montagna gets my vote for the most consequential Catholic of 2023. Her questions and her allowing synod leaders to talk.. too much and too well, has enabled the kind of clarity we need to make informed decisions about faith, faithlessness, and motives. I am so very grateful for her

[@daveerhardt1879]

Intelligent conversation of what's going on in the Church today from these four immanent Catholics.

[@Denis.Collins]

As Robert Royal said, even enemies of the Church would say it has always spoken with absolute clarity. Well not anymore. This latest document is an absolute mess; filled with ambiguity. Speaking from England, I think I am correct in saying that not one squawk has come from any English Bishop.

[@Dienekes678]

It's a far cry from 'let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no'.!

[@janeyount8412]

I've heard that UK bishops are among those who have criticized the document. That's better than our US bishops' lukewarm support!

[@mmont]

Deception and imposition! Call it for what it is. Thank you.

[@christineOFS]

From Ontario, Canada. Thank you for this important podcast on this mess made in the Cathoic Church, which is what was this pope's intention. A report-video came out as you know showing the countries that support the pope's same-sex blessing document, some that will not, some that remainn silent. Canadians are scandalized, heartbroken, concerned, greaty disturbed at the lack of leadership of the Archbishops and Bishops against so many immoral things, and now this Fiucia Fiasco document. What can Canadians do to get Archbishops, Bishops to speak out against this mortally sinful document. They are great for taking photo ops for Women's League's, retirement homes, but lack leadership. We are tired of this silence from them! Can you shed some light to the degree if Canadians Bishops are progressive! I suppose their silence speaks for itself. CHRISTUS VINCIT!

[@matildegarcia9466]

In Spain , the ¡oh so catholic Spain ! bishops, archbishops and cardinals , all respectfully silent because Bergoglio told them so :( some 3 weeks before F.Supplicans they were all summoned to Rome, after which , not a word did they say about the meeting . Now we know

[@frederiquecouture3924]

Merci beaucoup.

[@thaliarose8741]

I'm Canadian and share same frustration with Canadian Catholic priests and Bishops... Very lukewarm and can't see Christ in them

[@christineOFS]

@@matildegarcia9466 unbeliveable!!!!! I think this same happened to Canadian bishops, as they spent 4 weeks or so at the Synod

[@christineOFS]

@@sA-ny2jl Thank you! Yes! I heard his homily! PRAISE BE JESUS CHRIST!

[@Miss_Elaine_]

Wow I had no idea how Cardinal Burke was being treated! What mean, petty, twisted little men now head the Bride of Christ!

[@WT-Sherman]

Synodality is just sophistry for changing Church Doctrine.

[@kevinlents9545]

Right. Under the auspices of the *development* of doctrine.

[@lawrenceleblanc1732]

Great conversation thank you

[@ukulelekitten15]

Brave, bold, and solid - excellent conversation. So grateful for each panel member’s integrity and honesty. God bless, protect and keep you all. This openness and transparency is what our church needs. Thank you all.

[@theshaddocks5605]

Thank you all. May God bless you and our Church.

[@susanjorstad7667]

Merry 6th Day of Christmas ✨🎄✨ You all are among my favorite and trusted journalists (and priests, Father Murray!). Thank you from the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Prayers for your protection, wisdom and fortitude.🛡️🔥⚔️♥️🔥

[@moonbeam728]

This was excellent!!! Great panel sharing insightful commentary. Don’t feel so alone now. Thank you! Next step…how to get other Catholic media like EWTN to insist their respective Monday through Friday show hosts see this video in anticipation of an onslaught of callers’ questions addressing the current mess PF promised to make a few years ago.

[@Anna-mc3ll]

Thank you for sharing this truly inspiring conversation on this central issue! May God bless you all!

[@hiturbine]

"For my friends, everything; for my enemies, nothing - not even justice." Pretty much sums up the papacy of the Argentinian, Jorge Maria Bergoglio.

[@44esta44]

That was excellent. Learned alot even though it wouldn't come under the heading of good news. Sometime do a program on the trends in the US church.. Thanks!

[@user-ep4wk5gx9x]

Deceitful is the word that came to mind.

[@gateman-hg8bo]

When the counterfeit eclipses the genuine, no one can see it. But, we all can hear the difference!

[@bettybella2417]

He, The Pope could have waited until the church had happily celebrated ADVENT & CHRISTMAS. The contents of the document has caused much confusion. May The HOLY SPIRIT INSTRUCT the hearts & minds of the faithful followers of JESUS & all that the Scriptures have taught us.

[@theien5929]

He put the theological garbage out there to cover up the financial scandal involving Brescia

[@andreahimelinski5163]

Thank you and God bless you.

[@RestoreJustice675]

I thought this year was about being focussed on bringing to light the reality of Christ being truly present in the Eucharist. How is that message going? This Synod on sin Fiducia has sucked the life out of that message.

[@gateman-hg8bo]

.. The seed of the Synod, sucks and strangles the growth, from the source of life.... I know it needs more work, Ha.....

[@sandraelder1101]

Excellent point!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@FirstNameLastName-ni3zh]

Dido - Brave bold solid and excellent conversation. Fr. Gerald Murray should be very pound of his transparency and honestly. We need more Priests in Catholic Church like Fr. Murray. The body of Church should start requiring more accountability and transparency from our Churchs' hierarchy from local bishops all way up to the Vatican and the Pope. Too many unanswered questions and answers for their conduct and behaviors...

[@David-wz9zn]

May God bless all of you people and your families and your closest ones!🙏♥♥ AMEN!🙏☺

[@Kipper388]

The only flaw in this discussion is it should have been longer! Thank you Robert Royal for gathering together such a brilliant collection of thoughtful, knowledgeable and fair minded individuals. Is it too much to hope that it could become a regular program?!

[@peterarnone5465]

"Whoever wishes to be a friend of this world becomes an enemy of God." - James 4:4 Thankfully, Robert Royal et al are exposing and defining Pope Francis for who and what he really is.

[@NorthwoodsWolf]

James Martin is Bergoglio’s Rasputin.

[@thomasmathew7964]

Excellent discussion, very insightful - Congratulations to all

[@WesternMalaise]

Astonishing that the sheep now have to abandon their shepherd in order to find good pasture elsewhere. So be it. You do a much needed service providing good pasture until we get a shepherd whose voice we recognise!

[@johnt6428]

Fantastic. God Bless all of you. The truth of Jesus never changes. Sin Cannot be blessed. The Warning-Garabandal-is coming soon to “change the conscience of the world.” The Warning will stop this and worse to come. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@frankerbeznik5193]

I wonder if the Pope is as eager to bless married men with their mistresses?

[@janetreichling9854]

Excellent discussion! Thank you!

[@myriam1985]

Thank you from Germany. 🙏

[@MovieTrackMan]

Just two points. First is that God is possibly permitting His enemies to be emboldened to surface so that they expose themselves and their positions enabling the faithful Catholics to take necessary actions with laser precision. Secondly is that we must not fear the mischief of these agents or collaborators of evil since we embrace Faith, Hope and Charity… not Faith, pope and Charity.

[@JosephJoelCruzReyes]

One way of examining this declaration- “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” -1 Corinthians 14:33

[@Judithleaver]

Ambiguity and confusion is not from the Holy Spirit. The clergy need to get back to the salvation of souls. Blessing ‘irregular’ couples completely overlooks the danger this has for the individual souls.

[@Mike-JMJ]

Agreed. Which is why people and media should stop spreading confusion and read the document with a hermeneutic of continuity.

[@paulmacaree]

Greetings from Belfast. This is so much better than the World Over. Raymond is a good interviewer but his 'show man' approach, constant populist editorialising and personal enterprise (books, Xmas albums galore) doesn't fly here in Britain and Ireland. Makes EWTN look down market. You good people should take that spot on EWTN and give Raymond a break and the "Val Doonican Show"! Ive just discovered this channel and I'll be following with interest. The Catholic world so needs professional, balanced Catholic commentary. Thanks for giving us this rare peek into just that! Happy New Year from the old country! Belfast Paul

[@moonbeam728]

Couldn’t agree more about Arroyo’s “ show man” approach and his focus on his products. This show had much needed ‘meat’ to it. Serious & professional.

[@femaleKCRoyalsFan]

Oh good grief....I like arroyo and he doesn't promote his stuff 365 days a year. I always look forward to papal posse with fr Murray and Mr royal

[@paulmacaree]

Hi Royals fan. Thanks for your thoughtful response. I also watch and enjoy the Paple Posey. I guess it’s just a British / Irish thing to get a ‘salesman‘ when you expect an objective interviewer. I had the privilege of meeting Mother Angelica. I doubt very much she would approve of the network being used to promote personal private enterprise. Raymond announces his book sales on almost every show, even the announcing his book signings on the Sabbath at the shops around in the US! I would think such behaviour, not be coming of a Christian? But hear me, I don’t judge his heart, nor question his talent as an interviewer, but do you not think he’s SO passed his sell by date at EWTN? Why not offer him the Dean Martin show instead?? The world over would be so much better if it was hosted by these good people at the Catholic Thing. Just sayin’…… but maybe it’s just an Irish thing? He wouldn’t last five minutes in Ireland, or Britain. happy New Year from the old country! Belfast, Paul

[@paulmacaree]

Hi Royals fan. Thanks for your thoughtful response. I also watch and enjoy the Paple Posey. I guess it’s just a British / Irish thing to get a ‘salesman‘ when you expect an objective interviewer. I had the privilege of meeting Mother Angelica. I doubt very much she would approve of the network being used to promote personal private enterprise. Raymond announces his book sales on almost every show, even the announcing his book signings on the Sabbath at the shops around in the US! I would think such behaviour, not be coming of a Christian? But hear me, I don’t judge his heart, nor question his talent as an interviewer, but do you not think he’s SO passed his sell by date at EWTN? Why not offer him the Dean Martin show instead?? The world over would be so much better if it was hosted by these good people at the Catholic Thing. Just sayin’…… but maybe it’s just an Irish thing? He wouldn’t last five minutes in Ireland, or Britain. happy New Year from the old country! Belfast, Paul

[@user-re2ss3jn8w]

Thank you so much for your clarity. It's very concerning the anti Catholicism of Francis. Pope Benedict said the Church would be smaller but more orthodox and we are seeing this.🙏🙏🙏

[@Corolla97ww]

Great discussion. Cardinal Pell had a wry sense of humour.

[@MPFXT]

The last topic - evangelization - as a missionary for many years the Francis papacy leads any sane missionary to solitude, the desert and wilderness. Pope Francis makes spreading Catholicism extremely difficult and a constant task of excusing the contradictions, scandals and dwindling of integrity.

[@KarenJSim]

Please note that, Fiducia Supplicans #31 states, "blessing that descends from God upon those who-recognizing themselves to be destitute and in need of his help-do not claim a legitimation of their own status, but who beg that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit. These forms of blessing express a supplication that God may grant those aids that come from the impulses of his Spirit-what classical theology calls “actual grace”-so that human relationships may mature and grow in fidelity to the Gospel, that they may be freed from their imperfections and frailties, and that they may express themselves in the ever-increasing dimension of the divine love." Pastorally blessings are for those who seek to live holier life but need to be free themselves from bondage of sin. A pastoral blessing is not sacramental blessing. With pastoral blessing. in normal situations, God can send grace to those people to help them be free of their sinful relationship. If you're still confused, pray for understanding and for the truth.

[@annehendershott-ec4rb]

Great conversation!

[@KarenJSim]

Fr. Gerald, it's important to note that #5 in the Fiducia Supplicans, states, "Responsum of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which states that the Church does not have the power to impart blessings on unions of persons of the same sex."

[@femaleKCRoyalsFan]

Then paragraph 31 says blessing for "couples" in irregular relationships which includes SSA and adultery

[@KarenJSim]

@@femaleKCRoyalsFan I noted also #31 in this thread of comments, too.

[@KarenJSim]

@@femaleKCRoyalsFan The word "couple" is completely different from the word "union". Fiducia Supplicans #31 "couple" refers to 2 persons, not the union of 2 peoples. #31 discussed pastoral blessings not the sacramental blessings. Pastoral blessings are for those who seek to live holier life but need to be free themselves from bondage of sin. A pastoral blessing, In normal situations, God can send grace to those people to help them be free of their sinful relationship.

[@tomthx5804]

You gotta be kidding me. @@KarenJSim

[@Gdblesstheusa]

fantastic discussion! THank you all

[@joromo]

My mom, may she rest in peace, if she was alive, she would be utterly disgusted with this doctrine. She was a devout Catholic and as someone who is following in her footsteps, I too am shocked that the Pope would sign such a disgusting evil declaration. Weird times we're living in. It's like blessing criminals but not the crime. They have permission to continue to do crime but it won't matter as long as they're blessed.Doesn't make sense.

[@anneangel3297]

Thank you for your presentation/ministry .blessings!

[@howardoller443]

Thank you so much for this common sense and God-serving video. Our great and loving God is a God of law and order. Satan is the opposite; lawlessness and chaos. Which is the Pope serving?

[@ernied7308]

“Fiducia Supplicans” was needed to clarify blessings for the “Siff-Necked” the Faithful not so much as we lead with Faith then Reason.

[@frederiquecouture3924]

Great News!

[@sandraelder1101]

Of course blessing people is not the problem. The doc is about blessing COUPLES as a unit not as individuals. Priests can certainly pray with these couples, but the very act of extending one’s hands over a couple can’t help but appear to be blessing the relationship, regardless of the priest’s intentions.

[@andrewvavuris8789]

Well done. Keep the focus on these issues. God Bless you all as we enter the Year of Our Lord, 2024!

[@David-wz9zn]

And may our Heavenly Mother bless and protect all of you people and your families and your closest ones!🙏♥♥ AMEN!🙏☺

[@RulesForRetrogrades]

Excellent discussion here. Thanks.

[@frederiquecouture3924]

Happy Christmas! Best Wishes for the New Year!