Posted on 03/18/2014 1:50:07 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Gene Robinson, recognized as the first openly gay bishop in a major Protestant denomination, has called on Pope Francis to change the Roman Catholic Church's official doctrine that defines homosexuality as a disorder, arguing that such a teaching is "the basis for discrimination, rejection and violence the world over."
The Vatican has repeatedly said that Pope Francis is not seeking to make doctrine changes, however.
"If Pope Francis is to be believed in all the kindly pronouncements of his first year (and I do), his good tone should be followed by the tough work of changing the systems of belief, doctrine and religious practice which perpetuate the victimization of those he seeks to serve," Robinson, who was installed as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church in 2004 and retired in 2013, wrote in an article for The Daily Beast on Sunday.
The retired bishop shared that he loves the new pope and that he prays for him every day, describing his commitment to the poor as "exemplary and legendary."
He also praised Francis for the change in tone he has brought to the Catholic Church in its attitude toward gay people, most famously with his remark to reporters last year: "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"
Robinson wrote, however, that the Vatican officially brands gay people as "intrinsically disordered." He argued that such judgment is "the basis for discrimination, rejection and violence the world over."
Adding that he realizes that such a big change in doctrine will not happen overnight, Robinson suggested that under Francis' leadership, the church body "may have the best chance at giving it a serious try."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states about homosexual attraction:
"This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. "
Pope Francis and Vatican officials have repeatedly affirmed traditional marriage, even in talk that the church body might look into certain cases of civil unions.
"Matrimony is between a man and a woman," the pope said in a recent interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, while adding that "diverse situations of cohabitation [are] driven by the need to regulate economic aspects among persons, as for instance to assure medical care."
Media reports on Pope Francis' stance on LGBT issues have sometimes been criticized, and what is often not quoted is his explanation after the "Who am I to judge?" line:
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says one must not marginalize these persons, they must be integrated into society. The problem isn't this (homosexual) orientation – we must be like brothers and sisters. The problem is something else, the problem is lobbying either for this orientation or a political lobby or a Masonic lobby," the Vatican leader said.
And this right there is the issue. Whether this happens or not, THIS is how Francis is viewed by the homosexual/liberal community.
And I think he's at least okay with it; maybe even likes it.
Disgusting
No matter how much you spout off about the Catholic Church, they will never join protestants and make abortion legal, condone homosexual “marriage”, have women pastors and openly homosexual priests. Can you say the same thing about many protestants faiths that could care less about the Word of God? I don’t think so. And I don’t “dismiss the majority of Catholics as liberal”. We are all sinners. In the end it is God we have to answer to. That’s how I live my life. I don’t stay awake at night worrying about someone else’s soul. It’s my soul I care about saving. Some bishops get on my nerves and I don’t care for them. Try reading the words of Cardinal Raymond Burke the next time you want to know how Catholics are expected to conduct themselves, and less at backslapping politician types like Dolan and Wuerl. And I will end this by asking you what I ask other Catholic Church bashers. If you’re not a Catholic why do you care what Catholics do and why the constant put-downs of all things Catholics.
This “bishop” wants the church to adopt the born that way myth. Much the same way the old church screwed up with the geocentric universe. the born that way myth is just as scientific as the flat earth science.
No one is born homosexual. God does not make mistakes. It is a mental disorder and like all other mental disorders it can be overcome if people WANT to not have this affliction. To prove you’re not born that way, it is now the “in-thing” for female entertainers to smooch with other females on stage. They also like to proclaim after years that they are “bi-sexual”. This is for the shock value, noting more. Just more garbage from God-less people that are trying their damnest to destroy God’s plan and pretend that anal sex and women stapping on dildos and pretending to be men is normal behavior. So once more, no one is born homosexual. It is a choice. Pure and simple.
Why do you always avoid the issue and also resort to invalid comparisons? Your church shows what it beleives by what it does, and sanctions even Ted Kennedy types as members, regardless of your exclusion of them. Face it, as this is your church and you must own them.
As for what liberal protestants do, how is that even relevant? Am i defending a church must less a liberal one? I defend a Scripture-based faith that supports churches that are not liberal nor preach a false gospel, both of which Rome is and does.
And I don’t “dismiss the majority of Catholics as liberal”. We are all sinners. In the end it is God we have to answer to.
Well then this is a change of tune. And so you do own them, while defending and promoting a church against conservative evangelical types. But to join Rome would be to deny the faith and be part of a church that affirms Teddy K types, like many Prot churches which also are to be must avoided.
Meanwhile, your attitude is not that of Scripture. Yes,we are all sinners, but proabortion, prohomosexual, and like overall liberal supporters are to be disfellowhipped, if known and impenitent.
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thessalonians 3:14)
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10)
no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1Jn. 3:15)
ry reading the words of Cardinal Raymond Burke the next time you want to know how Catholics are expected to conduct themselves, and less at backslapping politician types like Dolan and Wuerl.
And how has Rome affirmed he is the example to be followed vs backslapping politician types like Dolan and Wuerl? By replacing Burke on the Congregation for Bishops, the department of the Roman Curia that oversees the selection of most new bishops, with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington!
And I will end this by asking you what I ask other Catholic Church bashers. If you’re not a Catholic why do you care what Catholics do and why the constant put-downs of all things Catholics.
Frankly, are you serious? Do you have any idea of the number of articles that have been posted advertizing, promoting Rome and attacking Prots? in contrast to articles attacking that elitist entity called the "one true church?" You are one those that have, and as a fool's lips calleth for strokes, (Proverbs 18:6) and a false witness leads souls astray, so these call for and invite challenges, as do posts which attack evag. faith, and then you whine when Rome is exposed for what she is. Thus if you want to see less of this, then stop raising the flag of Rome.
It's not a vote. A Pope can issue various types of doctrinal statements, but they have to be in unity with the bishops working with him, and with the Deposit of Faith, which includes the Bible and all preceding doctrinal teachings of the Church stemming from the Bible. Any papal statements of doctrine are usually co-signed by the heads of pertinent groups of bishops, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the various councils and so on. Hence, a pope couldn't just overturn the meaning of marriage as a sacrament or the Biblical teachings that lust, fornication and homosexual sex are sinful. It wouldn't be valid.
Without a doubt you must be a LAPSED CATHOLIC. They are the absolute worst at spreading anti-Catholic bigotry. You seem to know all about the politics of the Catholic Church and what verse says what in the Catechism. Try devoting some of your time and energy you devote to Catholic-bashing on improving your own faith if you have one. You’ll be a better man for it.
Without a doubt you must be a RABID CATHOLIC. They are the absolute BEST at spreading Catholic teaching; and twisting what the plain text of Scripture says.
Try devoting some of your time and energy you devote to Protestant-bashing on imcreasing the size of your own church. Be a better man and pump out them little catholics left and right. You'll get a tax break for each one.
If you were a TBM; your quote would be:
"Without a doubt you must be a APOSTATE MORMON. They are the absolute worst at spreading anti-Mormon bigotry."
Isn’t that the only Protestant denomination that Catholics will accept ordained Episcopalian ministers into the Catholic church as priests from?
...the general rule for participation in fora such as this one is to communicate that you have some idea of what you are talking about...
Would it make a difference if they are born that way? Plenty of people are born imperfect (in fact all of us are), it is up to each person to rise above it and follow God’s commandments.
The Bible is the foundation for Christian belief, you cannot take the Bible out of the equation and have a healthy church. It is why so many liberal churches are dying on the vine. They provide nothing to aspire to.
How many times have we seen that...
...I don’t know...why don’t you regale us with your wisdom...
Frankly, are you serious? Do you have any idea of the number of articles that have been posted advertizing, promoting Rome and attacking Prots? in contrast to articles attacking that elitist entity called the “one true church?” You are one those that have, and as a fool’s lips calleth for strokes, (Proverbs 18:6) and a false witness leads souls astray, so these call for and invite challenges, as do posts which attack evag. faith, and then you whine when Rome is exposed for what she is. Thus if you want to see less of this, then stop raising the flag of Rome.
...ok, bud, you’re raving...think it’s past your bedtime...
The Bible is the foundation for Christian belief, you cannot take the Bible out of the equation and have a healthy church. It is why so many liberal churches are dying on the vine. They provide nothing to aspire to.
...liberal churches, and others that are not so, are dying because mega churches, where theology is what ever you want it to be, are poaching their congregants...and think what you like, but this says a great deal more about the congregants, than it does about the churches...
Bishop Robinson, there’s already a church for people who want a church that looks Catholic, but not only approves of homosexual behavior, but considers the most basic points of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds as trick questions, and you’re in it. That it’s bleeding members at an arterial pace is unfortunate, but not Pope Francis’ problem.
No, as appalling as he is, he’s just a symptom of a lot of the Episcopal clergy going apostate.
I’ll take that as a *Yes*.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.