The Vatican released a document titled "Dignitas Infinita" on human dignity, which was met with mixed reactions. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who presented the document, caused a stir by downplaying the significance of another declaration and engaging in a contentious Q&A session. Despite the document's content and the press conference, critics focused on the title's use of "infinite dignity," reflecting ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church.
The head of the Vatican's doctrine office, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, stated the Vatican's opposition to laws criminalizing same-sex acts, calling them "a big problem" and expressing pain at seeing some Catholics support such legislation. Pope Francis has also spoken out against laws criminalizing LGBTQ people, calling them a sin and an injustice. Under Francis, the Catholic Church has become more welcoming towards LGBTQ people, with the issuance of a landmark document allowing the blessing of same-sex couples in December.
Pope Francis described sexual pleasure as "a gift from God" but warned against the dangers of lust and pornography, emphasizing the need for discipline and patience. His comments come amidst controversy surrounding his new head of doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, who has faced criticism for a book he wrote on human sexuality. The Cardinal also recently introduced guidelines allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, drawing condemnation from conservative members of the Catholic community.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, a powerful figure in the Vatican, responded to criticism over a sexually explicit book he wrote in the 1990s, stating that he would not write it now and had canceled its publication. The book, which depicts sensual interactions with Christ and contains erotic themes, has sparked controversy. Fernández also faced scrutiny for a previous book with similar themes. Additionally, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, led by Fernández, recently published a declaration permitting pastoral blessings for "same-sex couples" and other couples in "irregular situations," drawing mixed reactions from bishops worldwide.
The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a clarification on its directive regarding same-sex blessings, amidst global controversy. Cardinal Fernández emphasized the distinction between "liturgical or ritualized" and "spontaneous or pastoral" blessings, stating that the latter should not be seen as an endorsement of a couple's lifestyle but as a simple pastoral gesture. The clarification comes after some bishops expressed confusion or opposition to the original declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, and outlines that blessings should be brief, not ritualized, and not conducted in a way that could cause doctrinal confusion. The Vatican also acknowledged the need for local discernment and sensitivity to local laws regarding homosexuality.
The Vatican's doctrinal office, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), has issued new guidance on the handling of ashes after cremation. In response to questions from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the DDF's prefect, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, stated that a defined and permanent sacred place can be set aside for the accumulation and preservation of the ashes of deceased baptized persons, while also allowing families to keep a minimal part of the ashes in a place significant to the history of the deceased. The Church's teaching on bodily resurrection and the need for sacred respect for the ashes were emphasized. This response is seen as a loosening of the Church's rules on cremation and may lead to further clarifications in the future.
