Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has addressed the ongoing false narratives that have generated significant media attention surrounding the Pope’s position on blessing same-sex unions in the ‘Fiducia supplicans’ doctrinal declaration issued December 18 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Speaking at the end of Mass at the Archbishop’s Chapel on Thursday, December 21, the Archbishop clarified that the Pope did not sanction same-sex marriage. Instead, the Pope’s message, the Archbishop explained, revolved around the inclusivity of God’s love, emphasising that the Church, as “a mediator of blessings, must bless all”, irrespective of their perceived state of sin or grace.
The Archbishop reiterated this sentiment, saying, “The love of God comes on all, good and bad alike, just and unjust alike.”
Quoting Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5, the Archbishop highlighted the scriptural foundation of the Pope’s perspective: “Be perfect as my heavenly father is perfect because he allows his sun to shine on the good and the bad and his rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike.”
Highlighting the Pope’s perspective, the Archbishop stressed that, just as God’s blessings are not withheld based on moral standing, the Church should adopt a similar approach.
“And so, whether we think we are sinner or saint, we all have mixture of good and bad and who knows if the blessing would allow a grace to open for a person to come to see God in a new way and make a new step towards God. Who would know where that grace would go,” Archbishop Gordon said.
Drawing a parallel to the Mass tradition where the priest blesses the congregation, the Archbishop highlighted the openness of the blessing is given “to all”.
He underscored that the Pope’s message should not be confused with liturgical ceremonies or civil unions. It specifically addresses the act of seeking a blessing, which should be approached with openness and without preconditions. Archbishop Gordon then encouraged individuals to refer to the actual text for an accurate understanding, urging the public to refrain from relying on media-generated narratives and social media “hype”.
