Antoine was almost ready. Although he hadn't yet decided when he would come out to his parents, the 24-year-old, who grew up in a family of "devout but not traditional Catholics," as he put it, thought he would tell them soon. Antoine, who also feels close to the Church, wanted to "be truthful with his parents," without turning it into a militant act.
But the Vatican's December 18 publication of the document Fiducia Supplicans, authorizing priests to bless couples "in an undocumented situation," that is, divorced, remarried and same-sex couples, changed everything for me. "Seeing the really tense, even violent discussions it provoked on the subject at Christmas and even afterward, I told myself I was going to wait... if not give up altogether," explained the young man.
And yet, he stressed that his family has always been "present and supportive" at different times in his life. But "this time, I just couldn't do it." Like many young homosexual Catholics, Antoine has seen the hostility and incomprehension unleashed against the Fiducia Supplicans on social media and in his own circle since its publication.
In Catholic doctrine, "homosexual acts" are considered a sin, "acts of grave depravity" that are "intrinsically disordered." Those involved are therefore instructed to use chastity. However, by authorizing the blessing of couples, even if it takes place outside any liturgical ceremony, Rome seems to be accepting this type of sexual acts. A move that has provoked "piles of hatred," said Anna, a young believer who is still amazed at the paradoxical effect of a Roman text that was, on the contrary, supposed to open the Church to all.
All over the world, there have been strong and intense reactions to a development that is still sometimes misunderstood. Fiducia Supplicans apparently unleashed passionate emotions. On the African continent, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar refused to implement the blessing of homosexual couples. There were also negative reactions in the United States and Europe. On the other hand, bishops of all nationalities, pro-LGBTQ associations and personalities in favor of a better welcome for homosexuals in the Catholic Church have welcomed the text.
France was not left behind in this whirlwind. A group of nine bishops from western France quickly called on priests and deacons in their dioceses to bless only individuals, not couples. The Conference of French Bishops (CEF) published a reaction in which it makes no distinction between blessing couples and blessing individuals. It also pointed out that active homosexuality is a sin.
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