Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
Perhaps the recent controversy about Fiducia Supplicans concerns an understanding of the Lord's teaching about the false righteousness cited in today's gospel. Within the Vatican declaration about blessings of gay persons there is a subtext about opinionated priests and bishops who lack compassion for homosexual persons.
In October 1986, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, published his "Letter to the bishops on the pastoral care of homosexual persons." With that the Church's official teaching regards homosexuality as a disorder rather than a moral failing. Homosexual behavior is still deemed sinful and, like all sin, both unnecessary and forgivable. But society and the Church can make allowances for the disorder as we do for blindness, deafness, and other disabilities.
The teaching seemed like a concession in some quarters and was not universally welcomed. Many "gay" persons insisted their condition is normal, and no more abnormal than being left-handed in a right-handed world. And they had the support of many psychiatrists.
However, old attitudes remain and some people still regard homosexual persons as evil and unworthy of just treatment in the church or anywhere else.
And, in the other camp, many homosexuals have assumed a stance as victims; they regard anyone who differs with their beliefs as unsympathetic, "homophobic," and reprehensible.
American spirituality has always been Manichean; that is, it sees reality through a lens of good-and-evil. And so it readily falls into ideological thinking which sees some institutions as oppressive, and people as either oppressors or oppressed. There's little room for nuanced conversation in that environment.
Fiducia Supplicans has not been well received in either camp. Its teaching that, "Blessings are among the most widespread and evolving sacramentals." is certainly novel. Who knew that blessings can evolve? Are those who disagree, like the African bishops, behind the times? Or less evolved?
And the statement, "For this reason, one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation." is contradicted by the promulgation of the statement itself. Many priests and bishops have always met and prayed with gay persons, and encouraged them to practice chastity, the same virtue which should be practiced by single, celibate, and married adults.
So who was the target of the declaration? Perhaps it was "scribes and Pharisees" with their pretentious righteousness. They're certainly out there, but they won't be transformed into sympathetic friends of gay persons by this statement or the controversy. They have their own issues which might be addressed by their conscience, counselors, or spiritual directors.
Immersed as we are in a polarized society, everyone should examine their attitudes about people. We all make judgments but we should be equally ready to suspend judgment; even as Jesus did when confronted by centurions, gentiles, and women caught in adultery. The world could stand a few less opinions.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.