ROME – Days after nine French prelates announced they would not authorise to blessings to same-sex couples as requested by the recent Vatican declaration Fiducia Supplicans, the Permanent Council of the French Bishops’ Conference has said instead that such blessings should be given as a sign of “unconditional and merciful welcome”.
In a statement dated 10 January 2024 and signed by each member of the Permanent Council of the French Bishops’ Conference, including its president Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort of Reims, its two vice presidents, and Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, the prelates addressed the public debate that Fiducia Supplicans has caused.
