According to Vatican News, Fernández pointed to a clarification issued by the DDF in early January, which emphasized that the declaration did not change Church teaching on marriage or sexuality. He also told Tawadros that the blessings are not provided to the union itself and that they must be spontaneous and brief, without any rite or liturgical vestments.
The cardinal added that these nonliturgical pastoral blessings are available to every person, regardless of the person’s condition, and does not impart “sanctifying grace” but does provide “actual graces” that push sinners toward conversion and maturation, according to the article.
According to a news release issued by the Coptic Church, Tawadros told Fernández there is a path of love between the two churches and an importance of dialogue.
Pope Francis met with Tawadros in May 2023 to mark the 50-year anniversary of restored relations between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church. However, since March, formal ecumenical dialogue remains suspended.
In May 2023, Francis also added 21 Coptic martyrs who were killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria into the liturgical book of saints.
The Coptic Church is Oriental Orthodox. The division between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches occurred in the mid-400s after the Council of Chalcedon amid Christological disputes about the natures of Christ.
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