Pope Leo XIV today appealed for a revival of dialogue with the Coptic Orthodox Church after a rupture in March 2024 over Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican declaration permitting blessings for same-sex couples.
Yet in communications released on Friday, neither the Pope nor the Vatican acknowledged that the document itself had prompted the Copts to suspend ecumenical talks with Rome.
In a telephone conversation with His Holiness Tawadros II of Alexandria, Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Pope Leo spoke in conciliatory terms. According to the Vatican, the discussion took place in a “cordial and fraternal atmosphere,” with both sides expressing a desire to give “new impetus” to the annual Day of Friendship between Copts and Catholics and to overcome “any obstacles to dialogue based on faith and charity.” The call also reflected awareness of a shared responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel and promoting peace and reconciliation, particularly in the Middle East.
The Vatican readout made no reference to Fiducia Supplicans — the December 2023 decree which led the Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod in March 2024 to suspend theological dialogue with the Holy See.
From the moment of its release, the decree sparked sharp criticism from the Orthodox world. Three days after its release, Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary said his initial reaction was one of “shock.” He described the Roman Catholic Church as long regarded as a “beacon of traditional Christianity” and warned that such documents risked creating “new divisions” and making fruitful dialogue “more difficult.”
In January 2024, Cardinal Kurt Koch, who heads the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, acknowledged that Fiducia Supplicans had provoked “negative reactions” among the Orthodox. He also revealed that he had written to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, requesting clarification amid the growing concern.
Pope Leo’s omission of Fiducia Supplicans in his communications is perhaps not surprising. When the Coptic Holy Synod formally announced the suspension of dialogue two months later, its statement stopped short of explicitly naming the decree. But the bishops simultaneously reaffirmed the Church’s rejection of homosexual relationships and condemned any blessing of such unions as “a blessing for sin.” In a subsequent video statement, the Coptic spokesman Father Moussa Ibrahim removed any remaining ambiguity, describing the suspension as a response to Rome’s “change of position on the issue of homosexuality.”
In response to the fallout, Cardinal Fernández travelled to Cairo in May 2024 to meet Tawadros II, where he sought to clarify the Vatican’s position, stressing that Fiducia Supplicans did not authorize blessings of unions themselves, but of individuals seeking pastoral support. The meeting formed part of wider Vatican efforts to preserve fragile ecumenical ties and limit Orthodox criticism.
Now, less than a year into his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV is making overtures towards renewed discussions, but without reopening the controversy in public….
But Pope Leo’s ecumenical outreach to the Coptic Orthodox may face new challenges, following the release earlier this month of the final report on “emerging doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical issues” by the Synod on Synodality’s Study Group No. 9.
The report — which calls for a “paradigm shift” in the Church’s approach to homosexuality — has received scathing criticism from Catholic prelates and commentators, and includes testimonies from men in same-sex civil relationships who see homosexuality as a “gift from God” and who criticize Catholic apostolates that promote chastity such as Courage.
Controversy intensified this week after it came to light that Jesuit Father James Martin, a leading “LGBT” advocate, was reported to have played a central role in coordinating the testimonies featured in the report.
Although the General Secretariat of the Synod is seeking to distance itself from the report following the revelations, its general secretary, Cardinal Mario Grech, had initially praised the document as “the synodal method applied to the most demanding situations.”
Pope Leo XIV’s efforts to restore ecumenical dialogue with the Coptic Orthodox Church may therefore hinge on his response to the Study Group No. 9 final report.
From Diane Montagna’s Substack
I think Pope Leo should completely dump all of the Synod on Synodality material and all of Pope Francis’ heretical Synod on the Family material, as well as “Fiducia Supplicans,” “Traditionis Custodes,” and all other objectionable, heretical material of Pope Francis. Pope Leo also should heavily crackdown on the Gernan Bishops and their Synodal Way, and all other errant European bishops. Pope Leo needs to initiate a full return to true, authentic Catholic teaching and practice. He should strongly support and promote the group, “Courage,” for the LGBTs, and preach strongly on how to live a good, chaste life as a Catholic, dedicated to following Jesus Christ.
Pope Leo needs to be his own pope. He owes nothing to the Francis papacy, rather he is to proclaim Jesus and salvation in the church’s scripture and tradition for 2000 years. It is time to be your own man, Pope Leo, and teach us faith. When Leo is quoted for his war statements, receiving James Martin, etc, it does nothing for my faith. Then I see protestant Christian Franklin Graham on TV telling people to accept Jesus into their hearts and to call a phone number where someone will pray with them. Why do I have to get Jesus from a non Catholic Christian? Leo, stop listening to those advisors like Cupich, McElroy, Tobin, Hollerich, Grech, Roach, and be your own man for Jesus. Tell us about Jesus and how to follow Him toward eternal life in word, sacrament, and charity. And do it starting right now.
There will be no bridge as long as Fiducia Supplicans and Synod Final Report #9 have not been repudiated. Or rather, the only bridge will be Fr. Martin’s rainbow bridge.
Pope Leo, along with many of the world’s bishops, are all lamenting the fact that the Church today, is losing a tremendous amount of young Catholics– who do not return to Church after the Sacrament of Confirmation. So, Cardinal “Tucho” Fernandez of the DDF is busy with preparing a new document — a “how-to”– on “Transmission of the Faith.” Because they are all so lost on how to do that! Dumb bunnies forgot that about 60 years ago, “transmission of the Catholic Faith” was a well-known subject– but it all collapsed at the close of Vatican II. Are they now going to try to “re-invent the wheel” with stupid modern “gimmicks” with this new document? How was the Catholic Faith transmitted to young Robert Prevost, as a little boy? Any clues? His (deceased) mom and dad could have written that silly document– and initiated a worldwide reform of their son’s lost Church.
Pope Leo’s father was a Catholic school teacher, principal and superintendent. He also was a parish Catechist. Pope Leo’s mother was a Catholic school librarian. During Pope Leo’s early childhood, before Vatican II, everyone knew well, the process of transmission of the Catholic Faith to children at church, at Catholic school, at Catechism classes, and in the Catholic family home– whether your Catholic parents were well-educated– or poor and illiterate. To be a devout Catholic, knowing how to pass the Catholic Faith to your children, was a well-known subject. Many Catholic children from all walks of life, even grew up to become saints.
What we are seeing in Leo’s episcopal appointments is a pattern: Leo is not necessarily elevating pro-gay bishops but rather gay bishops with an agenda. What we are seeing is not gay bishops hiding in the confines of the Church keeping doctrine sound while they keep their depraved “private” life as they used to but rather they are “out” with vengeance.
It is good that Pope Leo is reaching out to the Coptic Orthodox. Yet, our relationships with all Orthodox Christians are strained by what seems to be movement toward some acceptance of sex, gay or straight, outside of marriage (which is one man and one woman). God is trustworthy and so are His ways. Sadly, even tragically, I see some Catholics considering, even moving to, Orthodoxy, over this matter, the truth of which is clearly taught in the Scriptures and Tradition. Christ prayed that we may all be one. (John 17:21) The Catholic Church I’m part of came back 380 years ago this year. I pray more return to the unity of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of the Creed. Christ has only one bride. Let’s not drive our brothers and sisters further away.
Reply to Father Richard Perozich: I too agree with you Father Richard that Pope Leo XIV must be his own pope and not listen to the wayward advisors like Cupich, McElroy, Tobin and others. He should listen to voices like Cardinal Muller and Bishop Atanasius Schneider. In an article found in today’s Spirit Daily by Aleteia’ I believe It very well seems that Our Lady of Akita’s message to the modern world is being fulfilled today. Our Lady of Akita said, “The work of the devil will infiltrate into the church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals,,bishops against bishops.”. Our Lady of Akita pray for Pope Leo XIV.
It remains troubling to me to be exposed to debate that diminishes the sin of homosexuality at the expense of Church doctrine for ecumenical (political) considerations. The Roman Church is the deposit of Faith, not an exchange bank. We are all sinners and the issue of homosexuality is a grave sin that puts the salvation of the soul at risk. Anything other than addressing the issue in terms of salvation of soul is bothersome to me, a longstanding Catholic and sinner. Jesus can heal but the sinner has to repent and want healing.