The Vatican's recently appointed Doctrine Chief, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, is facing scrutiny due to a past book he wrote that delves into explicit descriptions of orgasms. The out-of-print Spanish book, "The Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality," was published in 1998 and explores mystical-sensual experiences with God.
Fernandez, known as Pope Francis' theological ghostwriter, has already stirred controversy with another book, "Heal Me With Your Mouth. The Art of Kissing." This book, along with "The Mystical Passion," was not included in the list of publications provided by the Vatican when Fernandez was appointed. Fernandez leads the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and implements significant changes. One of his controversial decrees is allowing transgender individuals to become godparents.
The explicit nature of "The Mystical Passion" has raised eyebrows, particularly as it suggests a level of knowledge about sex and orgasms that might be unusual for a priest who has taken a vow of celibacy. The final chapters of the book provide graphic details about sexual anatomy, sexual desire, pornography, and the role of pleasure in God's mystical plan. When asked by The Associated Press on January 8, Fernandez declined to comment on the matter.
Fernandez claimed to have written the book after conversing with a young couple who sought to understand their relationship better. He claimed to have halted the book's publication after realizing it could be misunderstood. Fernandez stated that he wrote the book as a young priest and would not write something similar now.
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On January 8, the book was unearthed by traditionalist Catholic blogs, which also criticized Fernandez with recent controversies surrounding his office's declaration approving blessings for same-sex couples. The declaration, endorsed by Francis on December 18 and made public a day later, caused strong opposition from bishops globally, including some national bishops conferences in Africa, Poland, and other places, who clearly stated they wouldn't follow it.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, retired head of the Vatican Liturgy, denounced the declaration as the devil's work and praised bishops' conferences in Africa that rejected it. In an essay published by Vatican columnist Sandro Magister, Sarah affirmed that this stance is not meant to target Pope Francis but to oppose a heresy that seriously threatens the church, the body of Christ, as it goes against Catholic faith and tradition.
The Wanderer, a conservative Catholic newspaper in the United States, expressed concern about the information regarding Fernandez's book, stating it raised alarms and indicated the path Pope Francis took during his ten-year pontificate.
The reaction to Fernandez's book has been particularly strong among traditionalist and conservative Catholic circles, with some questioning his suitability for leading the doctrine office. As controversies continue to unfold, questions linger about Pope Francis' confidence in Fernandez and whether he was aware of the explicit nature of "The Mystical Passion."
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