Hi everybody,
The only thing I could find in the presser about “civil unions” was this exchange: (Google translated)
“Holy Father, my question is about the family, the theme that you have faced on this trip. In the Italian Parliament was discussing the law on civil unions, an issue that is leading to strong clashes in politics, but also to a strong debate in the society and among Catholics. In particular, I wanted to know your thoughts on the subject of adoptions of civil unions, and so on children’s rights and children in general. Thank you.
“Pope francesco
“First of all, I do not know how things are in the Italian Parliament. The Pope does not meddle in Italian politics. In the first meeting I had with the Bishops [Italian], in maggio2013, one of the three things I said: “With the Italian government, arrangiatevi you.” Because the Pope is for everyone, and can not get into practical policy, internal to a country: this is not the role of the Pope. And what I think is the one who thinks the Church, and who said on so many occasions. Because this is not the first country that makes this experience are many. I think what the Church has always said.”
My question is: Where did he say he wasn’t familiar with the CDF document Fr Z talks about? Anyone know?
Is it this exchange Fr Z is talking about? Since Francis says he “shouldn’t get involved” this means he’s not familiar with the CDF document?
Thanks,
Here is what I asked about before. This must be what Fr Z was talking about:
Franca Giansoldati, Il Messaggero (Italy): Holiness, good evening. I return back to the topic of the law that is being voted on in the Italian parliament. It is a law that in some ways is about other countries, because other countries have laws about unions among people of the same sex. There is a document from the Congregation for the Doctrine for the Faith from 2003 that dedicates a lot of attention to this, and even more, dedicates a chapter to the position of Catholic parliamentarians in parliament before this question. It says expressly that Catholic parliamentarians must not vote for these laws. Considering that there is much confusion on this, I wanted to ask, first of all, is this document of 2003 still in effect? And what is the position a Catholic parliamentarian must take? And then another thing, after Moscow, Cairo. Is there another thawing out on the horizon? I’m referring to the audience that you wish for with the Pope and the Sunnis, let’s call them that way, the Imam of Al Azhar.
Pope Francis: For this, Msgr. Ayuso went to Cairo last week to meet the second to the Imam and to greet the Imam. Msgr. Ayuso, secretary to Cardinal Tauran of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. I want to meet him. I know that he would like it. We are looking for the way, always through Cardinal Tauran because it is the path, but we will achieve it.
About the other, I do not remember that 2003 document from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith well but every Catholic parliamentarian must vote according their well-formed conscience. I would say just this. I believe it is sufficient because – I say well-formed because it is not the conscience of ‘what seems to me.’ I remember when matrimony for persons of the same sex was voted on in Buenos Aires and the votes were tied. And at the end, one said to advise the other: ‘But is it clear to you? No, me neither, but we’re going to lose like this. But if we don’t go there won’t be a quorum.’ The other said: ‘If we have a quorum we will give the vote to Kirchner.’ And, the other said: ‘I prefer to give it to Kirchner and not Bergoglio.’ And they went ahead. This is not a well formed conscience.
On people of the same sex, I repeat what I said on the trip to Rio di Janeiro. It’s in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.