LAIKO Statement on Fiducia Supplicans

Peace!

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas has been seeing posts about Fiducia Supplicans, and the concern it has brought about in terms of shaking the foundation of marriage.

We would like to affirm the recent statements of His Excellency Socrates Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen – Dagupan, and CBCP President His Excellency Ambo David, who have clarified this, and even have reiterated the importance and sacredness of marriage.

The advisory from Bishop Ambo David, “ON THE POSSIBILITY OF BLESSINGS FOR COUPLES IN IRREGULAR SITUATIONS AND FOR COUPLES OF THE SAME SEX,” he says:

“The document has an introduction where the Prefect of the said dicastery, Victor Manuel Cardinal Fernandez points out that “this declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion.”  “

This, along with the statement from Archbishop Soc Villegas, “BLESSINGS OF MERCY: EPISCOPAL GUIDANCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIDUCIA” which says about these spontaneous blessings:

“This blessing of mercy is not and cannot be a blessing of sanctification since we cannot ask God to bless something that, as Fiducia supplicans explains, is not “conformed to God’s will, as expressed in the teachings of the Church” (no. 9). Priests who are invited to bless couples in irregular situations should choose the appropriate words to reveal this intent of the Church.”

And even reminds us that we should lead those in these irregular unions to conversion, in order to make right their relationships:

“Therefore, when a Catholic priest prays a blessing of mercy on a couple in an irregular situation, who “desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy, to invoke his help, and to be guided to a greater understanding of his plan of love and of truth” (no.30), he is asking God to have pity on both of them and to give them the grace of conversion so that they can regularize their relationships.” “

As members of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, we staunchly uphold the sanctity of marriage. Our commitment remains steadfast in advocating and enlightening the laity about its profound significance.  

Additionally, we extend our prayers for couples in irregular situations and couples of the same sex, hoping they find solace in the Lord’s compassion and embark on a path towards spiritual transformation.

For the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas board,

Xavier Padilla
President-Elect