The possibility of a resignation may be causing a fast track of announcements
The recent rush of progressive announcements among clerics may be a sign of fear rather than strength, especially with the possibility of a resignation by Pope Francis on the horizon. After all, the German Church’s liberal turn is not in isolation, the Irish Church is also taking a liberal turn, while this week bishops in Belgium published a text on the pastoral care of LGBT Catholics, allowing for a blessing of same-sex couples. The text said such couples who choose to live “in lasting and faithful union with a partner” deserve “appreciation and support”, while referring to Pope Francis’s Amoris laetitia.
