ROME - A Vatican decision to reaffirm its opposition to gay priests has angered activists who thought Pope Francis was changing Rome’s attitudes toward homosexuality.
In a
new document on the priesthood, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy reiterated a 2005 statement declaring that men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” or those who “support the so-called ‘gay culture’” cannot be priests.
“Pope Francis has a lot of explaining to do by approving the newest Vatican instruction,” said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, which campaigns for LGBT rights in the church.
“Francis’s famous ‘Who am I to judge?’ statement in 2013 was made in response to a question about gay men in the priesthood,” DeBernardo said. “That response indicated very plainly that he did not have a problem with a gay priest’s sexual orientation.
“It’s not too late for the pope to retract this document.”
The new document noted that the church’s policy on gay priests has not changed since the last Vatican pronouncement on the subject in 2005.
Many have been hoping for a new approach from the church toward gay priests because of Francis’s statements and the fact that he has gay friends and has spoken against bias toward gays.
The pope has even used the label “gay” rather than the more clinical term “homosexual” that many church officials view as less likely to appear to approve a gay orientation.
“This document is extremely disappointing in its approach to gay men called to be priests,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, an organization of Catholics committed to equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“These guidelines are a tremendous insult to the thousands of gay men who have served and continue to serve the church with honor and dedication,” she said. “They undermine decades of commitment by these men, and they fail to acknowledge that God calls a great variety of people to the priesthood.”......
4 comments:
Another misleading headline. The media isn't turning against Francis. They aren't even reporting on this story. And if the story does begin to gain traction Francis will send one of his henchmen to "clarify" that the document was published without his approval. Francis is actively trying to destroy the Faith, and the media knows this and will NEVER turn on him.
The Holy Father on Friday suggested that priests who wear certain kinds of clerical clothing are transvestites. Based solely on appearances, the Holy Father called one such priest "a rigid and worldly one". At any rate, if Pope Francis succeeds in ridding the priesthood of effeminate men, that would certainly be a good thing. Are there also masculine "Village People" type homosexuals in the priesthood? I've only seen indications of the other type.
Of course, I do hope such troubled fellows do find a more appropriate place for themselves elsewhere.
People who twisted Pope Francis's "who am I to judge him" comment have only themselves to blame for their misreading of his comments in regard to homosexuality.
Pope Francis made it clear in 2013 A.D. that he upheld the Church's teachings that pertained to homosexuality.
1. He made it clear that we are to treat homosexuals charitably. (That is Catholicism 101.)
2. He made it clear that homosexuals of goodwill who seek Jesus Christ, confess their sins, and reform their lives enter into good standing with God. (That is Catholicism 101.)
3. He referenced the CCC during his remarks in question. (Catholicism 101.)
4. He spoke against homosexual lobbies — pro-homosexual pressure groups. (Catholicism 101.)
Pope Francis reiterated the Church's teachings in regard to homosexuality. Nobody has any right to twist the Pope's comments in question into something that he didn't say.
During a Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis praised Catholics who worked to pass laws that to outlaw homosexual unions as well as prohibit homosexuals from adopting children.
He also has condemned "powerful forces" who have attempted to promote the legitimacy of homosexual unions.
A honest person who has read Pope Francis's statements in question would not be surprised that the Holy Father has time and again offered orthodox teaching in regard to homosexuality.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
My friends there is something very very wrong with this pope, my goodness somebody in the Vatican needs to interveen and fast!
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