Next week, the Vatican plans to release a treatise on gender theory and surrogacy, which was made public in an attempt to appease conservatives who are against Pope Francis’ approval of same-sex unions.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s new prefect, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, will conduct his first press conference on April 8 to unveil the text “Infinite Dignity, on human dignity,” the Vatican said on Tuesday.
Proclamation Preparation Amid Controversy Over Same-Sex Blessings
Very close to Pope Francis, Fernández disclosed that the proclamation was being prepared after facing backlash for the distribution of a December office document allowing priests to bless same-sex couples outside of the liturgy.
Conservative bishops vehemently denounced the statement, saying it went against biblical teaching on homosexuality. This included entire national episcopal conferences in Africa. They also declared they would not be implementing it.
Since then, Argentinean-born Fernández has stated in a number of interviews with the media that the upcoming document will provide a critical assessment of contemporary society’s “immoral tendencies,” such as gender theory, sex alterations, and surrogacy.
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Pope Francis’s Complex Stance on LGBTQ+ Rights and Gender Norms
Pope Francis has made it a point to engage with LGBTQ+ individuals during his pontificate, but he has also harshly condemned what he refers to as “gender ideology.”
In particular, he has decried what he sees as the propensity of Western nations to force their sexual and gender norms on developing nations in exchange for financial assistance.
Pope Francis has also advocated for a worldwide ban on surrogacy, claiming that the practice injures both the mother’s and the child’s dignity and takes advantage of the surrogate mother’s financial necessities.
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