Pope Francis accepts a book from Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich during an audience at the Vatican June 11, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Rome Newsroom, Mar 7, 2023 / 06:45 am (CNA).
Pope Francis appointed five new members to his council of cardinals advisers on Tuesday, including Synod organizer Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich and Canadian Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix.
The Vatican announced on March 7 the nine members of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals tasked with assisting the pope “in the governance of the universal Church.”
The pope has nominated Brazilian Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha, Spanish Cardinal Juan José Omella Omella, and Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, the president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, to be new members of the council, along with Hollerich and Lacroix.
With the new appointments, Honduran Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, 80, and Germany’s Cardinal Reinhard Marx, 69, are no longer members of the Council of Cardinals. Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the 80-year-old retired president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, has been replaced by his successor.
The group of cardinal advisers, also referred to as the C9 for its nine members, was established by Pope Francis one month after his election in 2013 to advise the pope on the reform of the Roman Curia, particularly the new apostolic constitution, Praedicate evangelium, published last year.
The group continued to meet after the constitution’s publication and discussed the Synod on Synodality and the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors at its last meeting in December.
The inclusion of Hollerich, a Jesuit who is one of the leading organizers of the ongoing Synod on Synodality, suggests that the council will continue to have a role advising the pope on the global synod process.
The appointment also indicates the esteem the pope has for the 64-year-old cardinal archbishop of Luxembourg, whom he appointed in 2021 as the relator general of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Last fall, Hollerich said in an interview with Vatican media that he believes the possibility of Church blessings for same-sex unions is not a settled matter.
Three original members of the C9 remain in the council: American Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state.
Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, who was appointed in 2020, will also remain in the council of advisers and Bishop Marco Mellino will continue to serve as the group’s secretary.
The next meeting of the Council of Cardinals will be held on April 24 at the pope’s Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, at 9 a.m.
This is a developing story.
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Vatican City, Jan 2, 2021 / 09:00 am (CNA).- Coronavirus vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Vatican City next week, according to the Vatican director of health and hygiene.
In a statement released Jan. 2, the head of the Vatican health service, Dr. A… […]
Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square on Jan. 5, 2023. / Vatican Media
Rome Newsroom, Jan 15, 2023 / 11:00 am (CNA).
It was widely anticipated that a major reform of the Diocese of Rome was coming, as Pope Francis has been thinking about it for some time.
But no one expected it to come when it did: On Jan. 6, one day after the funeral of Francis’ predecessor as Bishop of Rome, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
With the reform, Pope Francis firmly took over the reins of the vicariate, or hierarchy, of the diocese. Everything is centralized, and everything must pass, at least formally, under the control of the pontiff.
Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, the pope’s vicar for the diocese, sees his role deeply diminished. The diocese’s auxiliary bishops strengthen their direct link with the pope. In the end, the pope has made it clear that he is the one who also formally presides over the Episcopal Council, a new body established as an “expression of synodality.”
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis. . Daniel Ibanez/CNA
The backstory
Before going into some details of the new decree, however, some background is necessary.
The last reform of the structure of the Vicariate of Rome was outlined by John Paul II in 1908, with the apostolic constitution Ecclesia In Urbe. For the new reform, Pope Francis copied and pasted several passages from that document. In some cases, these have been minimally rewritten to emphasize some details instead of others. In other cases, greater changes were made but these do little to alter the basic substance of things.
The reform presents two general characteristics of Pope Francis’ way of legislating: using councils or commissions and requiring those bodies to report directly to him.
It is clear that the pope is the bishop of Rome and that the pope’s vicar for the diocese is his auxiliary. Pope Francis, however, in this case, goes further, including with the constitution a decree that directly defines the areas of competence of the auxiliary bishops.
Pope Francis shows, in this way, a willingness to exercise greater personal control over everything that happens in the vicariate. At the same time, this choice also testifies to a “break” in the relationship of trust with his vicar, Cardinal de Donatsi.
Although Francis called de Donatis to preach retreats to the Roman Curia in 2014, he was never the pope’s candidate to succeed Cardinal Vallini as vicar. That was Cardinal Paolo Lojudice.
Pope Francis, however, wanted to first consult the parish priests of Rome, 80% of whom preferred de Donatis. It was impossible, therefore, for the pope not to listen to them. He appointed De Donatis vicar (and cardinal) and made Lojudice archbishop of the prestigious Diocese of Siena, and a cardinal, as well.
Last May, at the general assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference, it seemed clear that Pope Francis preferred the appointment of Cardinal Lojudice as the new president of the CEI.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice. Francesco Pierantoni via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)/Pufui PcPifpef via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The plan was to appoint Lojudice vicar of the Diocese of Rome to succeed Cardinal de Donatis, who had finished his five-year term, which would then have made Lojudice the primary contact person for the pope both in Rome and among the Italian bishops. De Donatis would have been appointed the new Penitentiary in place of Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who has now turned 78.
The Italian bishops, however, preferred Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, who was not unwelcome to Pope Francis.
Lojudice didn’t become vicar for the Rome Diocese, either, as everyone assumed would happen. Meanwhile, the relationship of trust between de Donatis and the pope seemed to have been interrupted in 2020, when, at the beginning of the lockdown for COVID-19, de Donatis decided to close the churches of Rome. When Pope Francis later highlighted the inadvisability of closing churches, de Donatis withdrew the decree but announced that every decision had been made in agreement with the pope. There also have been other moments of friction in recent years.
The pope, however, now seems intent on changing the vicar this year when de Donatis’ mandate expires. An indication of this is the fact that in the decree in which the Pope defines the area and pastoral competencies of the auxiliary bishops, de Donatis is not mentioned as vicar. One might take his presence for granted, of course, but the general interpretation is that the change will be made.
What’s new
What are the novelties introduced by Pope Francis? First, the figure of the prelate general secretary disappears, while the vicegerente (or the deputy of the vicar) manages the offices of the General Secretariat. The prelate secretary also had the function of the moderator of the Curia. In this case, everything is entrusted to the vicegerente, who thus sees his functions and weight increase.
The pope chose the vicegerente from among the auxiliary bishops, and in this case, Baldassare Reina was selected. Bishop Reina does not come from the Diocese of Rome but was called from Agrigento. The pope’s logic is to break possible power chains by bringing in fresh and foreign forces.
The choice of a new parish priest is entrusted to a lengthy procedure which must then, in any case, be submitted to the pope, who acts as the true and proper bishop of Rome without relying on the vicar, who is left with the appointment of assistant parish priests.
Article 20 of the Constitution requests a report for each candidate for the priesthood or diaconate to be submitted before ordination. Also, in this case, the candidates must be presented by the cardinal vicar to the pope, and only after obtaining the Episcopal Council’s consent. Therefore, the vicar seems to be practically a commissariat: He does not choose the candidates but submits them to the pope and can submit them only after the Episcopal Council has endorsed the choice.
The council is defined as the “first organ of Synodality” and must meet “at least three times a month,” presided over by the pope. Only in the absence of the pope can the cardinal vicar preside over the council, which is made up of the vicegerent and the auxiliary bishops. However, the pope wants to receive “the agenda for each meeting as soon as possible.”
Finally, there is also the establishment of an Independent Supervisory Commission. This will have a regulation that must be “approved by the Pope” and six members appointed by the pope who can remain in office for a maximum of two five-year terms.
The service for the protection of minors and vulnerable people is also added, which “reports to the Episcopal Council, through the auxiliary bishop appointed by me,” the pope has decreed.
Pope Francis attends the Italian bishops’ plenary assembly in Rome on May 24, 2021. Vatican Media.
The effects of the reform
The constitution also redistributes the areas and offices of the Vicariate’s Curia, and the accompanying decree gives each auxiliary bishop a specific task.
Beyond the reorganization, it should be noted how the pope enters into action as the actual bishop of Rome. Everything must pass through the decisions of the pope, while before, the cardinal vicar enjoyed trust and discretion. For the first time, however, the pope’s vicar is defined as an “auxiliary.” He is, therefore, an auxiliary among the auxiliaries, with a considerable reduction in his weight.
With this centralization, Pope Francis probably wants to overcome the risk of having “abuses” within the Vicariate.
It is worth remembering that in June 2021, Pope Francis ordered an inspection of the Vicariate itself. It was an audit entrusted to the Auditor General of the Holy See, Alessandro Cassinis Righini. It was the first time the Vicariate sifted through the accounting books, registers, and cooperative societies.
However, the Pope, as a matter of practice, has sent an inspection to all the dicasteries of the Curia every time there is a reform or a new mandate. The review, therefore, already predicted the change of pace in the Vicariate, one that has led Pope Francis to be increasingly alone in command.
A photograph shows an outside view of the Gemelli hospital in Rome on June 8, 2023, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized following an operation for an abdominal hernia on June 7. / Credit: Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
I can’t wait until Hollerich makes his next statement on the beauty of relationships centered on anal sex. Everyone will express wonderment on how such things could be said by a high-ranking Cardinal, especially since it contradicts the “clear teachings of Pope Francis.” No one would know or care about this guy (or McElroy) if Francis had not promoted him precisely because of, not despite, his views on sexual morality. Let’s agree to end the charade before it starts up again. It’s better for everyone’s mental and moral health.
Courtney Mares CNA acknowledges the propriety of Synod on Synodality [SOS] Relator Card Hollerich’s addition to the advisory C9. And adds insightfully that Pope Francis holds him in high esteem. A fellow Jesuit with apparently similar progressive vision, particularly on homosexuality.
His SOS [SOS, the ‘Save our ship’ distress signal fits well with the Synod on Synodality and a barque taking on water] needs to be monitored. In olden golden days the pontiff’s mission would be moral scrutiny of the proceedings. Whether doctrine was secure. Today it’s whether doctrine is holding up pastoral advancement in an enlarged tent Church. Francis keeps barking, Radical inclusion! like a carnival barker. The rest of us, the suffering Church, continue to suffer white martyrdom, after years of negligence saying our rosaries, [some priests even reciting the entire Office of Hours], rising for vigils, penance, fast and prayer, Lent or not. If not we had better.
I’ve said it before, that a Brooklyn boyhood conviction was that if the moral darkness of homosexuality were ever to be embraced by the Catholic Church it would surely signal end times. We’re there. At least by indication. Francis’ high level appointments of Hollerich [and a similar cadre of others] indicates that embrace.
What will happen may well be in our hands insofar as outcome. We can, besides penance and prayer change the course of events by combating evil with good, insult and reprimand with kindness, contempt with love. The weapons of the saints. And of course, the firm witness of the spoken word, and the written word.
Keep saying those rosaries father. Our Lady’s triumph is near as we see the enemy make bold public announcements. They know their time is short and are showing their cards for all to see. Our Lady of Good Success pray for us.
Get it right…
Cardinal Hollerich’s comment last fall was not limited to the possibility of blessing same-sex unions: “I believe that the sociological-scientific foundation of this teaching [on sexual morality] is no longer true [….] I think it’s time we make a fundamental revision of the doctrine” https://www.aol.com/news/liberal-cardinal-calls-revised-catholic-135429645-181222377.html
On the other hand, removal of Cardinal Marx seems to indicate that the German non-synod, with all of its inventions, no longer has the inside track as part of the C9.
Would like to hear more about the other new appointees. Cardinal La Croix seems a breath of fresh air, as Hollerich’s synods ripen: “I’m going to be different. One thing is certain. I will preach the Gospel. If people expect something else, they’ll be disappointed” (Wikipedia).
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This pope is determined to bring schism. Then he will be able to cast out all those who disagree with him, all who criticize him, all who want the Church to hold fast to the apostolic faith. He will stop at nothing to push faithful Catholics out of the Church.
And a word of advice to bishops. When you cover for this mad man, you have become part of the problem. You are accustomed to circle the wagons around your “brother bishops” including the pope. The gig is up. It is time for you to take a stand, even if it means losing your career. This is the time we find out what our bishops are made of.
They are to “assist with the governance of the church”?? If the Pope finds himself unable to handle the workload, maybe he should follow in the footsteps of Pope Benedict and resign.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich is blessed with a creative, constructive, and a dynamic vision. The Luxembourger is serving the church with dedication and distinction. May his tribe increase.
Instead of your usual nonsensical rhetoric, ‘Dr.’, present your argument that the Church has been in error for centuries regarding the heterodoxy of the Cardinal and the new ‘virtue’ of accepted homosexual practice.
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ‘doctor’.
Thanks Ram,
indeed Catechism of the CC has to be read, meditated upon, discussed with fellow mortals, and then prayerfully applied to situations during our brief onward pilgrimage.
About which, St. John Paul II augmented the mentioned Catechism (1992) with his Veritatis Splendor (1993)–and the reality of moral absolutes revealed for the benefit of we “fellow mortals…during our brief onward (?) pilgrimage”:
“…the commandment of love of God and neighbor does not have in its dynamic any higher limit, but it does have a lower limit, beneath which the commandment is broken” (n. 52).
“The relationship between faith and morality shines forth with all its brilliance in the unconditional respect due to the insistent demands of the personal dignity of every man [italics], demands protected by those moral norms which prohibit without exception [!] actions which are intrinsically evil” [!] (n. 90).
“The Church is no way [!] the author or the arbiter of this [‘moral’] norm” (n. 95).
If only those last six prohibitive commandments could be “prayerfully” cancel-cultured, with your clever approval.
In an interview with The Pillar, Cardinal Hollerich remarks: “In Japan, I got to know a different way of thinking. The Japanese don’t think in terms of the European logic of opposites. We say: It is black, therefore it is not white. The Japanese say: It is white, but maybe it is also black. You can combine opposites in Japan without changing your point of view.” https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/who-is-cardinal-hollerich .
Three snapshots, plus a conclusion:
FIRST, from the internet we learn: “Onmyōdō (陰陽道, also In’yōdō, lit. ‘The Way of Yin and Yang’) is a system of natural science, astronomy, almanac, divination and magic that developed independently in Japan based on the Chinese philosophies of yin and yang and wuxing (five elements).”
SECOND, and: “It is a system of belief based on the ancient Chinese theories of Yin and Yang and of the five elements and the magical practices that developed after it was introduced into Japan. Its traces are still found in the life of- today’s Japanese.”
THIRD, and: “Yang elements include light, fire, rain, and the heavens. Yin elements include darkness, water, wind, and the earth. Male traits are yang, and female traits are yin. Yang qualities are active, while yin qualities are passive. Everything in the universe results from the interaction of yin and yang.”
CONCLUSION: Who needs supernatural revelation from a Triune God, and the Gospel of the incarnate Jesus Christ, (or Veritatis Splendor and moral absolutes!) when these can be replaced—synodally!—with Yin and Yang? Who needs binary sexuality (black and white?) when the interreligious dispensation—according to Shinto Master Hollerich—is the “interacting” and harmonized, big-tent, grey, middle-ground “third option” of homosexuality (and by extension all of gender theory)?
Unbelievable. Truly, truly, truly.
This pope’s “radical inclusiveness” apparently embraces any and all paths to orgasm. Or, at least, views them as “not a settled matter.”
Poor Jesus. He knew.
“…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
The last sentence reads, “This is a developing story.”
I hardly think so. It’s a story of gravely disturbing deterioration and dissolution.
Authored by the evil one.
It’s almost like a pattern has emerged, but no; it can’t be.
I can’t wait until Hollerich makes his next statement on the beauty of relationships centered on anal sex. Everyone will express wonderment on how such things could be said by a high-ranking Cardinal, especially since it contradicts the “clear teachings of Pope Francis.” No one would know or care about this guy (or McElroy) if Francis had not promoted him precisely because of, not despite, his views on sexual morality. Let’s agree to end the charade before it starts up again. It’s better for everyone’s mental and moral health.
Courtney Mares CNA acknowledges the propriety of Synod on Synodality [SOS] Relator Card Hollerich’s addition to the advisory C9. And adds insightfully that Pope Francis holds him in high esteem. A fellow Jesuit with apparently similar progressive vision, particularly on homosexuality.
His SOS [SOS, the ‘Save our ship’ distress signal fits well with the Synod on Synodality and a barque taking on water] needs to be monitored. In olden golden days the pontiff’s mission would be moral scrutiny of the proceedings. Whether doctrine was secure. Today it’s whether doctrine is holding up pastoral advancement in an enlarged tent Church. Francis keeps barking, Radical inclusion! like a carnival barker. The rest of us, the suffering Church, continue to suffer white martyrdom, after years of negligence saying our rosaries, [some priests even reciting the entire Office of Hours], rising for vigils, penance, fast and prayer, Lent or not. If not we had better.
I’ve said it before, that a Brooklyn boyhood conviction was that if the moral darkness of homosexuality were ever to be embraced by the Catholic Church it would surely signal end times. We’re there. At least by indication. Francis’ high level appointments of Hollerich [and a similar cadre of others] indicates that embrace.
What will happen may well be in our hands insofar as outcome. We can, besides penance and prayer change the course of events by combating evil with good, insult and reprimand with kindness, contempt with love. The weapons of the saints. And of course, the firm witness of the spoken word, and the written word.
SOS = Save Our Sacraments, right?
That’s the encrypted message Donna. Only those with faith can decipher the code.
Keep saying those rosaries father. Our Lady’s triumph is near as we see the enemy make bold public announcements. They know their time is short and are showing their cards for all to see. Our Lady of Good Success pray for us.
Get it right…
Cardinal Hollerich’s comment last fall was not limited to the possibility of blessing same-sex unions: “I believe that the sociological-scientific foundation of this teaching [on sexual morality] is no longer true [….] I think it’s time we make a fundamental revision of the doctrine” https://www.aol.com/news/liberal-cardinal-calls-revised-catholic-135429645-181222377.html
On the other hand, removal of Cardinal Marx seems to indicate that the German non-synod, with all of its inventions, no longer has the inside track as part of the C9.
Would like to hear more about the other new appointees. Cardinal La Croix seems a breath of fresh air, as Hollerich’s synods ripen: “I’m going to be different. One thing is certain. I will preach the Gospel. If people expect something else, they’ll be disappointed” (Wikipedia).
No disappointment in hearing the gospel preached!
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This pope is determined to bring schism. Then he will be able to cast out all those who disagree with him, all who criticize him, all who want the Church to hold fast to the apostolic faith. He will stop at nothing to push faithful Catholics out of the Church.
And a word of advice to bishops. When you cover for this mad man, you have become part of the problem. You are accustomed to circle the wagons around your “brother bishops” including the pope. The gig is up. It is time for you to take a stand, even if it means losing your career. This is the time we find out what our bishops are made of.
They are to “assist with the governance of the church”?? If the Pope finds himself unable to handle the workload, maybe he should follow in the footsteps of Pope Benedict and resign.
And the “Synod to Destroy the Catholic Church” progresses . . .
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich is blessed with a creative, constructive, and a dynamic vision. The Luxembourger is serving the church with dedication and distinction. May his tribe increase.
Instead of your usual nonsensical rhetoric, ‘Dr.’, present your argument that the Church has been in error for centuries regarding the heterodoxy of the Cardinal and the new ‘virtue’ of accepted homosexual practice.
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ‘doctor’.
Thanks Ram,
indeed Catechism of the CC has to be read, meditated upon, discussed with fellow mortals, and then prayerfully applied to situations during our brief onward pilgrimage.
Very clever promotion of situation ethics!
About which, St. John Paul II augmented the mentioned Catechism (1992) with his Veritatis Splendor (1993)–and the reality of moral absolutes revealed for the benefit of we “fellow mortals…during our brief onward (?) pilgrimage”:
“…the commandment of love of God and neighbor does not have in its dynamic any higher limit, but it does have a lower limit, beneath which the commandment is broken” (n. 52).
“The relationship between faith and morality shines forth with all its brilliance in the unconditional respect due to the insistent demands of the personal dignity of every man [italics], demands protected by those moral norms which prohibit without exception [!] actions which are intrinsically evil” [!] (n. 90).
“The Church is no way [!] the author or the arbiter of this [‘moral’] norm” (n. 95).
If only those last six prohibitive commandments could be “prayerfully” cancel-cultured, with your clever approval.
Or the depraved, self-serving vision of a practicing homosexual whose cognitive dissonance leads him to insist on the supremacy of homosexual culture.
In an interview with The Pillar, Cardinal Hollerich remarks: “In Japan, I got to know a different way of thinking. The Japanese don’t think in terms of the European logic of opposites. We say: It is black, therefore it is not white. The Japanese say: It is white, but maybe it is also black. You can combine opposites in Japan without changing your point of view.” https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/who-is-cardinal-hollerich .
Three snapshots, plus a conclusion:
FIRST, from the internet we learn: “Onmyōdō (陰陽道, also In’yōdō, lit. ‘The Way of Yin and Yang’) is a system of natural science, astronomy, almanac, divination and magic that developed independently in Japan based on the Chinese philosophies of yin and yang and wuxing (five elements).”
SECOND, and: “It is a system of belief based on the ancient Chinese theories of Yin and Yang and of the five elements and the magical practices that developed after it was introduced into Japan. Its traces are still found in the life of- today’s Japanese.”
THIRD, and: “Yang elements include light, fire, rain, and the heavens. Yin elements include darkness, water, wind, and the earth. Male traits are yang, and female traits are yin. Yang qualities are active, while yin qualities are passive. Everything in the universe results from the interaction of yin and yang.”
CONCLUSION: Who needs supernatural revelation from a Triune God, and the Gospel of the incarnate Jesus Christ, (or Veritatis Splendor and moral absolutes!) when these can be replaced—synodally!—with Yin and Yang? Who needs binary sexuality (black and white?) when the interreligious dispensation—according to Shinto Master Hollerich—is the “interacting” and harmonized, big-tent, grey, middle-ground “third option” of homosexuality (and by extension all of gender theory)?