Except in cases, all too common with Francis, when his statements and guidance are not the least bit clear, allowing secular zealots within and without the Church to encourage sin and division. That's pretty much the biblical text definition of scandal.
Faithful Catholics could be as docile and sincere as possible under the circumstances. That doesn't fix the damage that secular media, America and NCR cause by crowing that "the Catholic Church blesses homosexual unions." Our witness to the world has been dealt a significant blow.
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GLAD TIDINGS!!!
Some priests are speaking out from the pulpit, at least locally. I was at to two churches this weekend.
4th Sunday of Advent: The young priest devoted most of his sermon to this scandal. He stated the truth quite clearly: "No priest can bless an 'irregular situation' or 'sinful relations' without himself committing a very grave sin."
As the gospel reading was the Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary, Father encouraged us as a matter of spiritual warfare to renew our devotion to Mary as the one foretold in Genesis 3: "She crushes the head of the Serpent."
Christmas Eve: Pastor encouraged us to remain faithful against the world. "Even if those in authority fail to speak clearly. Even if the Pope, God forbid!, were to speak falsely, we are called to remain faithful."
I spoke with Father after Mass. "It was a poorly written document," he said, grimly. "Another poorly written document."
