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February 4, 2022
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
www.upcatholic.org
Interview with Bishop John Doerfler on Created in the Image: An Instruction on Some Aspects of Pastoral Care of Persons with Same-Sex Attraction and Gender Dysphoria" Part 2
JOHN FEE
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
Bishop John Doerfler's instruction for the Diocese of Marquette on the pastoral care of persons with same-sex attraction and gen- der dysphoria has received much social and traditional media attention. This is the second part of a series of articles to help parishioners understand the teaching. Part 1 may be read at https://www.upcath- olic.org/UP-Catholic-01212022-e-Edition/4/. The full instruction is available online at www.dioceseofmarquette.org/createdin- theimage. It has been claimed that the instruction de- nies the sacraments to those with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. Yet, the open- ing sentence of the instruction reads: There is an ever-greater need today for the pastoral care of persons with same-sex attraction and persons with gender dysphoria. Let us open our hearts to the love of God that we may overflow with love and kindness and respect for others. The purpose of the instruction is to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ, to the sacra- ments and full communion with the Church, said Bishop John Doerfler. It is a pathway we can journey together in love and mutual respect. As the instruction states, having feel- ings of same-sex attraction or gender dyspho- ria is not sinful and does not prevent anyone from receiving the sacraments. It is the willful acting on these feelings that is sinful and where diculties arise. Bishop Doerfler clarified, The point of the instruction is to meet people where they are, then accompany them on a journey to Jesus through full communion with the Church. For example, if people are living in a sexual relationship outside of a valid marriage - one man and one woman - that is a problem that needs to be worked through. This is where the art of pastoral accompaniment comes in to play. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process provides an insight into this. For instance, a person in an invalid sec- ond marriage is in RCIA studying to enter the Church. The person would continue in RCIA, but the first marriage would need to be reviewed by a diocesan marriage tribunal and receive an annulment (in lay terms) before the person receives the Sacraments of Initiation. For more on what an annulment is, see Bishop Doerfler's Pastoral Message on Declarations of Nullity: https://dioceseofmar- quette.org/images/files/ReconciliationAnd- Healing-APastoralMessageOnDeclarationsOf- Nullity.pdf We walk with that person first to rectify their marriage situation so that they have the proper disposition to receive the sacraments, Bishop Doerfer said. Similarly, an unmarried person in an ongo- ing same- or opposite-sex sexual relationship would need to end the sexual relationship before receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. Bishop Doerfler noted that repentance pre- cedes the reception of sacraments by adults, including Baptism. Acts 2:38 reads: Peter [said] to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. When an adult formally presents himself for the Sacraments of Initiation, he makes a public profession of faith' Bishop Doerfler said. A person can't honestly say this while knowingly rejecting the moral teaching of the Church and deliberately continuing in a sinful relationship. This doesn't mean that anyone entering the Church is expected to never sin again. We are all sinners, but our attitude must be that we intend to do our best with God's help to live a holy, life. When we fail, we go to confession and start anew. Moreover, all Catholics need to have the proper disposition to receive Holy Commu- nion. Every Catholic should take an honest look at his or her current state in life. If seri- ous sin is found, then the person must repent and go to Confession before presenting one- self for Communion. For more on the proper disposition for Holy Communion, see Bishop Doerfler's column in The UP Catholicon page 3 of this issue. The reception of Communion or Anoint- ing of the Sick by those who are in danger of death requires pastoral discernment. How- ever, the instruction leans toward giving the benefit of the doubt to the potential recipient in is case. Concerning Holy Communion, the instruc- tion reads: Such persons may be given Holy Communion in danger of death if they express repentance (c. 921). The benefit of the doubt falls to administering the Sacrament. In a similar fashion, the instruction also says of Anointing of the Sick: If there is danger of death and the person is unresponsive, evi- dence that he or she at least wished to die as a Catholic is sicient to administer the sacra- ment. In a case of doubt, the sacrament is to be administered.
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DIOCESE OF MARQUETTE MARQUETTE, MI
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