Vatican stuns Catholic world with greater openness toward gays and lesbians
In an unprecedented shift, Catholic bishops meeting at the Vatican to discuss family issues say gays should be accepted and that there are “positive aspects” to a couple living together without being married.
By Josephine Mckenna | Religion News Service October 13 at 4:12 PM
VATICAN CITY — The world’s Catholic bishops on Monday (Oct. 13) signaled a move toward greater tolerance of gays and lesbians, an about-face so unexpected that leaders of the church’s right wing called it a “betrayal.”
Noting that gays and lesbians have “gifts and qualities” to offer the church, the midpoint assessment reflected the impact that Pope Francis seems to be having on the two-week Synod on the Family as he pushes for a more open, less doctrinaire approach.
“Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing them a fraternal space in our communities?” said the communique from the nearly 200 bishops and lay delegates. “Often they wish to encounter a church that offers them a welcoming home.
“Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/vatican-stuns-catholic-world-with-greater-openness-toward-gays-and-lesbians/2014/10/13/3ef759f4-5315-11e4-b86d-184ac281388d_story.html
1:32 video at link.
