You may be aware from media reports that the Holy Father has issued a “declaration.” Titled “Fiducia Supplicans,” the document addresses those who, in the words of the title, come to us in trust and ask for a blessing.
Without changing the teaching on our understanding of marriage as a sacrament between one man and one woman, this declaration is meant to address the many pastoral challenges couples face today for a variety of reasons
Our largest pastoral challenge lies with our many undocumented families. Our immigration system is enormously complicated. As you know many couples here in our diocese live and work in legal shadows because of their lack of documented status. Many couples who would want to get married do not, be-cause a legal and a public sacramental marriage would change their legal status and foreclose their immigration case. Often these couples have long-term bonds that include children who are citizens. When these couples approach us for a blessing after Mass or in casual settings this declaration clarifies we can provide a blessing to them without celebrating the sacrament and therefore without endangering their future legal options. The declaration also clarifies that when folks who may be in same-sex relationships come to us in infor-mal settings for a blessing, we can provide a blessing that is not comparable to the blessing conferred in a sacramental marriage. We bless pets. We bless rosaries. We bless farm ani-mals. We bless roses. We bless children. We bless parents. Even parents who may not be canonically married. We often don’t have scripts or rituals.
I write this because relying solely on media reports, our parishioners may have the mistaken notion that this document is only about homosexuality and thus may miss the larger pastoral challenge this declaration addresses for our many undocumented families.
Most Reverend Joseph J Tyson
Bishop of Yakima
Doctrinal declaration ("Fiducia Supplicans") opens possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations...
Vatican News
Now that the diocesan and Region XII reports have
been completed, we are pleased to begin sharing with
you what you had to say about our "Journey Together
with the Holy Spirit" as a local Church.
As we started all of our Listening Sessions in
prayer and discernment, I am asking that we do the
same in hearing our collective voice.
This journey is
paralleled in Luke 24's Resurrection story, "The Road
to Emmaus." Please read, reflect, and pray over the
slide show as we prepare to consider what
the Faithful in our Diocese shared about our Journey
with the Holy Spirit.
Six key themes emerged from the Synodal Listening
Sessions. The information is available to review by clicking on the links below.
Topics: Key Themes / Temas Claves
Click on
(English narration of Emmaus story, with slides, by
Deacon Mike Gaulke)
STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION FOR VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19
The Diocese of Yakima, in accordance with the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), recommends that all members of the Catholic community, who are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, should do so.
“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.” – USCCB, Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines
Since the vaccinations for COVID-19 have been found morally acceptable to protect the lives and ensure the health of all in our communities, the Diocese will not provide religious exemptions to receiving a vaccine against COVID-19. Parishes are not to provide religious exemption letters regarding the COVID-19 vaccination.
The following links might be helpful in understanding the morality of receiving the vaccine:
You may go to our website: ICSJBPARISHES.ORG and find the links to the document there also.
Vatican Statement on Morality of COVID Vaccines
USCCB Statement on J&J Vaccine Acceptability
Bishop Tyson Statement and Ethical Vaccine Development links
Let us continue to pray for all who have died from this terrible illness, for their loved ones who are experiencing the pain of loss, and for all who continue to work diligently to care for the sick and serve all in need during these challenging times.
Given this day, August 18, 2021, at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Yakima
Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima
POPE FRANCIS' MESSAGE ENCOURAGING VACCINATIONS
In a brotherly spirit, I join in this message of hope for a brighter future. Thanks to God and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from COVID-19. They grant us the hope of ending the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we work together.
Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love. Love for oneself, love for one’s family and friends, love for all people. Love is also social and political, there is social love and political love; it is universal, always overflowing with small gestures of personal charity capable of transforming and improving societies (cf. Laudato si’, no. 231, cf. Fratelli tutti, 184).
Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable. I pray to God that everyone may contribute their own small grain of sand, their own small gesture of love; no matter how small, love is always great. Contribute with these small gestures for a better future.
God bless you and thank you.
+FRANCIS
Immaculate Conception - Saint John the Baptist
Office Address: 303 W 2nd St Cle Elum, WA 98922 US
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