Sacraments of initiation or affirmation?

Anthony R. Lusvardi, S.J., First Things

Friday, November 21, 2025

The sacrament of confirmation has not generally been a pressing concern to the editors of People magazine. Last week, however, this often neglected and misunderstood sacrament made the news. A minor celebrity—a news anchor—returned to the Catholic Church and was confirmed. People dedicated an article to the event. People’s motives, alas, may have been elsewhere. It seems the confirmand, Gio Benitez, is openly gay, civilly married, and was confirmed with his “husband” as his sponsor. The phrase “exactly as I am” stood out in the Instagram post announcing the event.