General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAn Appreciation Thread For The Pope and Desmond Tutu.
Yes. Me. Don Redwood. I feel the need to say thank you to the Pope and Desmond Tutu today.
While Russian gays are being brutalized in Moscow, while American-backed preachers try to talk Africa into passing laws that give the death penalty to gay people, we have these two leaders of religion coming out and saying:
"I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this.: Desmond Tutu
"I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place." Desmond Tutu
And then the new Pope asking what right he would have to judge a gay person who had a good heart.
This is a big deal. How many people will be treated better because these two men have come out with kind words towards gay people.
Gay Catholics have been waiting a long time for a day like today.
Ex-Catholics who have left the church can have some peace knowing their family members aren't being taught hate.
Wow. Just a terrific wow moment.
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)Pope Francis On Gay Priests: Who Am I To Judge?
The institutional Catholic church isnt known for being especially inclusive of gays and lesbians, but Pope Francis hinted Monday that the worlds largest Christian denomination could soon become a more welcoming place for gay men who wish to become priests.
Speaking at an impromptu press conference during his return flight from a trip to Brazil, Pope Francis responded to a question about gay Catholic priests with an unexpectedly inclusive and conciliatory remark. Who am I to judge (homosexual priests) if theyre seeking the Lord in good faith? he said, adding, They shouldnt be marginalized. The tendency (to homosexuality) is not the problem theyre our brothers.
Granted, the pontiffs comments, which are sure to attract attention, technically dont diverge sharply from existing Catholic teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church already calls on the faithful to avoid judging homosexuals, saying that people with deep-seated homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, and that every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.
-snip-
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/07/29/2373211/headline-goes-here/
Additional article...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/pope-francis-gays_n_3669635.html
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)starroute
(12,977 posts)It suggests a certain humility that the standard Catholic line doesn't.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)He said he doesn't judge homosexuals who in good faith seek Christ or being good. Both of which are code for celibate. This is the Catholic Church we are talking about, and this Pope calls gay adoption child abuse and same sex marriage comes from the father of lies, his words.
William769
(55,147 posts)As for the Pope? Talk is cheap, I want so see some action until then
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)I join you in
Response to DonRedwood (Original post)
Post removed
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)remember that, same for his church too, he said NOTHING here that is different than what the Catholic Church has consistently taught for over 30 years now.
undeterred
(34,658 posts)and he's doing a much better job of it than most of the popes before him.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)homophobic as his predecessors, and what he reiterated here is a slight rewording of standard Church teaching on homosexuality.
undeterred
(34,658 posts)instead of refusing to judge them. That may seem like a small difference to people outside the institution, but to people on the inside its radical.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)the church basically had a DADT policy when it came to gay priests.
ON EDIT: Also a note, the term is "defrocked" if the gay priest in question is celibate after no longer being a priest, they can still be in full communion with the church. Note: sexually active gays need not receive the Eucharist if they are unapologetic about their sin.
Brigid
(17,621 posts)And Pope Francis seems to have had the time of his life at World Youth Day!
JI7
(89,252 posts)they shouldn't be put on the same level.
Desmond Tutu is one of the strongest supporters in the world for gays.
JI7
(89,252 posts)Desmond Tutu would not worship an anti gay God.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Today's words from the Pope are promising.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Perhaps this new tone will mark the beginning of a more accepting official stance between Catholics and gays. It shouldn't have become so adversarial in the modern world.
Hippo_Tron
(25,453 posts)I think the world would be a fundamentally better place if every single person on the planet accepted that homosexuality was a perfectly normal healthy thing. Unfortunately, there's not really anything you could get six billion+ people to agree on.
So, tolerance is the next best thing. Pope Francis hasn't suddenly become progressive on the issue, nor do I expect him to anytime soon. But when the leader of an institution that has historically been extremely antagonistic to gay people takes a position of tolerance, it's a good day for humanity.