In a stunning move, Pope Francis has appointed Abp. Víctor Manuel Fernández to lead the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s pivotal office responsible for safeguarding the Church from heresy. This appointment, however, has sparked a firestorm of controversy and raised serious concerns about the direction of the Catholic Church.
Abp. Víctor Manuel Fernández and his book
Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing
Fernández, a longtime confidant of the pontiff dating back to their days in Buenos Aires, has gained recognition for his involvement in ghostwriting significant papal documents, including the influential encyclical Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), released in 2016.
However, the archbishop’s own written works have been a cause for alarm. Over the years, Fernández has authored a series of troubling texts that delve into explicit and sexually charged themes. This has left many wondering why Pope Francis handpicked him, out of numerous prelates, to oversee the DDF, a role that demands the utmost orthodoxy.
Of particular concern is Fernández’s 1995 book titled Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing. The book’s introduction sheds light on Fernández’s motive and methodology, claiming it was based on the experiences of others and the poetical references to kissing. Fernández explains his motive and methods in the introduction:
I want to clarify that this book was not written so much based on my own experience, but based on the lives of people who kiss. In these pages I want to synthesize the popular feeling, what people feel when they think of a kiss, what mortals experience when they kiss.
For that, I chatted at length with many people who have abundant experience in this area, and also with many young people who learn to kiss in their own way.
I also consulted many books, and I wanted to show how the poets talk about the kiss. So, trying to synthesize the immense richness of life, these pages emerged in favor of kissing. I hope that they help you kiss better, that they motivate you to release the best of your being in a kiss.
For clarification, he adds, “Kiss, in Spanish ‘beso,’ in Italian ‘bacio,’ in French ‘baiser,’ in German ‘kuss,’ in Portuguese ‘beijo.’ Depending on how it is done, it is usually also called ‘a peck,’ ‘a hickey,’ ‘a penetrating kiss,’ etc.”
One needs only to examine a brief excerpt from Heal Me With Your Mouth to comprehend the explicit nature and the archbishop’s preoccupation with petting and foreplay. The passage leaves little doubt about the book’s focus, raising questions about its appropriateness, especially considering it was written when Fernández was still a young priest.
Just one excerpt from Heal Me With Your Mouth is sufficient for readers to know that I am not exaggerating when I affirm that it’s a book all about the virtues of petting: “You don’t realize. Clueless! Your lips kill. And your eyes do not warn, distracted. The wandering eyes that remain detained, before the divine flesh of your mouth, while the crazy people remain behind, raving. Low, darling, before someone wakes you up suddenly, with a terrible hickey!”
While it is acknowledged that kissing is portrayed positively in Sacred Scripture, such as in the Song of Songs, Fernández’s book goes far beyond the biblical context. The excessive emphasis on physical intimacy raises eyebrows, as it diverges from the Church’s traditional teachings.
According to Catholic teaching, God, in addition to His omnipotence and omniscience, also establishes a personal and intimate connection with mankind. This intimate relationship is a prevalent theme in the Song of Songs, where God’s desire to be close to His creation is metaphorically depicted. However, it is crucial to note that this intimacy is spiritual and not to be conflated with physical acts. Kissing between a man and a woman is used as a metaphor for God’s love for humanity.
God’s desire for intimacy with us is analogous to a man’s desire to be close to his wife in sexual union. Saint Francis of Assisi was a big fan of the Song of Songs for this reason. The saint valued how God loved him intimately, and “intimate” here does not mean sexually intimate in any way. This is perhaps a concept difficult to comprehend for modern people who live in an overly sexualized world.
While it is within a cleric’s role to discuss the personal and intimate nature of God’s relationship with His creation and interpret metaphors used in Scripture, it becomes problematic when the discussion delves extensively into the mechanics of kissing and places it on par with or above the importance of the faithful’s relationship with God.
Furthermore, it is unnecessary and inappropriate for a priest to publish a book instructing adults or teenagers on the “art” of petting. The public does not require guidance from a clergyman on such matters, as it raises concerns about the potential for misinterpretation or exploitation of the faithful.
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Being a skilled kisser holds no theological significance, nor is it a prerequisite for a fulfilled life or entrance into the Kingdom of God. Salvation lies in a right relationship with God, participation in the Church’s sacraments, and a life lived in accordance with God’s teachings. None of these requirements necessitate familiarity with Fernández’s teachings on kissing. The fundamental truth of the Gospel should not be overshadowed or diluted by controversial perspectives.
The omission of Heal Me With Your Mouth from the Holy See’s announcement of Fernández’s appointment only adds to the growing concerns. This deliberate exclusion leaves room for speculation and raises questions about the Vatican’s awareness of the controversial nature of the book.
In light of these alarming developments, one cannot help but question the reasoning behind Pope Francis’ decision to appoint Fernández to such a significant position within the DDF. Why did the pope overlook other prelates with proven records of personal holiness and orthodoxy? The implications of this appointment are deeply concerning, as they have the potential to create confusion among the faithful and potentially lead to spiritual harm.
Already, heterodox Catholic groups, like New Ways Ministries, are closely monitoring Fernández’s tenure, eagerly anticipating his stance on their deviant interpretations of the Faith. The red flags raised by Fernández’s appointment are undeniable. Is the future of the Catholic Church in jeopardy?