Dignitas Infinita: The Overview

Part 1 | There are perks to being late to the party, I suppose.

You’re probably thinking that the last thing you need is yet ANOTHER take on the latest Vatican declaration.

Hi, don’t worry, I’m here for you anyway ;) Being late to the “hot take” party has its perks. Over the next four weeks, I’m going to share with you the good, the bad, the ugly and a range of takes from right to left on Dignitas Infinita…of which there is now a PLETHORA to choose from!

I’ve been wading through the actual document, as well as that plethora of opinions. As always, I have a few questions.

Perhaps, in fact, more questions than answers. These questions are the sort of overarching things I kept in mind as I read it, and that I will address today.

1. What is the purpose of the document?

2. Was it necessary at this point in history?

3. Was this document clarifying or confusing?

4. What is the authority of a “declaration?”

First, the purpose.

Look, I could speculate, and many have. It is all but impossible to truly know intentions, although the recent history of ambiguous Vatican documents allows for, and I would even argue, encourages such speculation. So instead of putting in my two cents, here’s what the actual document states as its purpose. Per Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández:

“Although not comprehensive, the topics discussed in this Declaration are selected to illuminate different facets of human dignity that might be obscured in many people’s consciousness. Some topics may resonate more with some sectors of society than others. Nevertheless, all of them strike us as being necessary because, taken together, they help us recognize the harmony and richness of the thought about human dignity that flows from the Gospel.

This Declaration does not set out to exhaust such a rich and crucial subject. Instead, its aim is to offer some points for reflection that can help us maintain an awareness of human dignity amid the complex historical moment in which we are living. This is so that we may not lose our way and open ourselves up to more wounds and profound sufferings amid the numerous concerns and anxieties of our time.”

Second, was it necessary?

There can certainly be no doubt that we are living in a time of moral confusion, particularly relating to the human person. Chosen pronouns, fluctuating gender, the commodification of children through abortion, surrogacy etc…the list goes on. I wonder, however, if this declaration actually provided clarity in a way that was needed, or has not already been done.

Perhaps, if we could simply have reiterated and reminded the faithful of the many documents that have clearly condemned such evils, the controversy that seems to follow all Vatican documents today could have been avoided altogether.

Unfortunately, the only need I truly see for such clarification are ambiguous statements being made by Church leadership, unfaithful clergy that remains without rebuke, and so called Catholic public figures. This declaration, in my opinion, even IF airtight in theology, does not provide a solution for these errors, or correction for those who are out of bounds.

Third, IS the document theologically airtight, or has more confusion ensued?

Again, due to the recent history of the Vatican, I do not believe a declaration COULD be presented today without controversy and critique. We do need to be careful not to throw out the good with the bad, however, we are also allowed, and perhaps even compelled, to question missing clarity. In the following weeks we’ll dive into some of the…less than airtight ambiguities.

Personally, my very first note of concern is the citation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, issued by the United Nations General Assembly. Do we not have a rich enough tradition of Church documents, Church fathers and Scripture itself to avoid going to the UN for our theology? I shall digress for now on that point but, it gives me “the ick” as the kids say.

Finally, a declaration. What is it/what sort of authority does this hold?

Types of documents from the Vatican are varied, and do carry different weight. On one hand, it seems the Vatican has not caught on to the concept that in our day and age, the internet has pushed every word they say to the far corners of the world, and therefore extreme caution is needed even in passing statements. On the other hand, contrary to popular public opinion, the majority of these statements are not what we would consider infallible.

EWTN has a great breakdown of the different types of documents and what they mean. They define a declaration this way,

“A joint statement of the Holy Father and another religious leader concerning a common understanding of some teaching.”

Their breakdown also points out that most documents contain a combination of statements, some more serious doctrinally than others. I would argue that this is one of those. For instance, on the topic of abortion, there can be no debate within the Church. That said, the definition of, let’s say, “dignity” in this document could in fact be up for conversation.

Next week we’ll dive into the best part of the document, so be sure to subscribe and it will come straight to your inbox!