by Jules Gomes, Mere Matchlight
Petitioners urge pontiff to reiterate the teaching banning adulterous couples from receiving Holy Communion
An international coalition of traditionalist Catholics is urging Pope Leo XIV to repeal the two edicts from Pope Francis that permit couples in adulterous partnerships to receive Holy Communion and authorise priests to offer nonliturgical blessings to homosexual couples.
The petition marks the first joint effort by traditionalist Catholics, who have thus far been largely silent on the new papacy’s ambivalent approach to issues of sexual morality, to challenge Leo’s acceptance of the two controversial declarations, Amoris Laetitia and Fiducia Supplicans, as part of the Church’s magisterium.
Issued on September 15, the appeal accuses Pope Francis of having “further aggravated” the “widespread confusion among Catholics” by opening a “breach” within the Church “that would accept adultery — by permitting divorced and then civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion—and would virtually accept even homosexual unions.”
The petitioners “boldly and respectfully” implore Leo that “a word from Your Holiness is the only way to clarify the growing confusion amongst the faithful.” They request him “to reaffirm the prohibition on granting any blessing to homosexual pairs” issued by the Vatican in 2021.