Posted on 07/29/2013 8:51:24 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Pope Francis has said that he does not judge homosexuals, including homosexual priests. If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? the Pope said.
The Pope added that a homosexual orientation is not the problem. He called for charitable treatment of homosexuals, saying that they should not be marginalized.
The Popes remarks-- made during a long and candid exchange with reporters who accompanied him on his return flight to Rome after a visit to Brazil for World Youth Daywere widely interpreted by reporters as an acceptance of homosexuals in the Catholic priesthood. But in fact the Popes comments were addressed to different questions.
The Pope had been answering questions from reporters on two sensitive topics: the reported existence of a gay lobby at the Vatican, and reports that the newly appointed prelate of the Vatican bank, Msgr. Battista Ricca, had been involved in past homosexual scandals.
The Pope said that although there have been many reports about a gay lobby, there is no clearly identifiable group. He joked that he had never seen it on a Vatican ID card. In that context, the Pope said that it is important to distinguish between a homosexual orientation and active participation in a lobby within the Vatican. The problem isnt the orientation, he said. The problem is having a lobby.
Regarding Msgr. Ricca, the Pope disclosed that he had conducted an investigation into charges of misconduct, and there was nothing. He went on to say that it is dangerous to probe into the past sins of others. People can sin, repent, and accept Gods forgiveness, the Pope said. The Lord both forgives and forgets. We dont have the right not to forget.
Thus the Pope did not address the issue of whether homosexuals should be ordained to the priesthood. He did not contradict the existing Vatican policy, set forth in a 2005 instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education, stipulating that men with homosexual tendencies should not be ordained.
Nor did the Pope dismiss concerns about a "gay lobby" at the Vatican. On the contrary Pope Francis acknowledged-- as he has in the past-- that the existence of a lobby is a problem to be addressed.
Pope Francis said repentant gay clergymen should be forgiven and their sins forgotten.
Despite the softer approach towards gay priests, Francis sided with Benedict’s hard line over gay marriage.
Even before being elected in March, Francis had spoken out strongly against gay marriage, denouncing it in 2010 as “an attempt to destroy God’s plan”.
Earlier this month, Francis and Benedict penned an unprecedented joint encyclical restating the Catholic Church’s position on marriage, saying it should be a “stable union of man and woman.”
“The church has a clear stance on the subject and it was important to speak positively in Brazil,” Francis told journalists who asked him why the issue of homosexuality wasn’t raised during his trip to Rio.
Pope Francis also spoke very bluntly and directly about the issues of gay marriage and abortion, affirming that both were in direct opposition to biblical teachings. When pushed on the issues he simply said, “You know perfectly the position of the Church.”
The Roman Catholic leader was also asked about the role of women in the Church. On that issue the pope said that women should be given a bigger role to play, however, specifically on the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, he affirmed that the “door is closed” on that issue.
“He went on to say that it is dangerous to probe into the past sins of others. People can sin, repent, and accept Gods forgiveness, the Pope said. The Lord both forgives and forgets. We dont have the right not to forget. “
Is this thinking why the child molesting has gone on so long within the Catholic Church.
A priest does 100 Hail Marys , asks for forgiveness, and then is sent to another parish to molest again??
Can’t wait to hear how long the Church knew about the Transvestite Priest
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/22/meth-priest-suspended-for-transvestite-rectory-sex/
He had been a secretary to Egan who covered up a lot of abuse
He doesn’t have a problem with gay priests? Really?
His opinion is not in line with the Bible.
I think he distinguishes between those with a gay orientation who nevertheless are able to practice self-control and those who don’t practice self-control.
He believes (I think), that gay or straight, priests are all subject to sexual temptations ( same or opposite sex). It depends on how one controls the temptation.
Are you making excuses for him? Lol
Homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to The Lord. He is who we will all answer to, not a pope.
I’m not making excuses for him, just clarifying what I think he means.
I don’t believe Pope Francis is saying Homosexuality ( as in the ACT of homosexuality ) is not sin.
Francis is saying that everyone is tempted, some towards the same sex, and some towards the opposite sex.
You can be tempted but you should NOT give in to the temptation.
The Froman Catholic response to this is basically "Go sit in the corner and color. We are Rome, we are 100% correct in all we do!"
Based on his words, he sees nothing wrong with a homosexual priest.
Sexual Temptation is covered under the Seven Deadly Sins and you can’t procreate man to man.
RE: Based on his words, he sees nothing wrong with a homosexual priest.
Yes, that’s what I gather also.
His reasoning seems to be this — if you say there is a danger of sexual abuse from homosexual priests, then the same danger exists for heterosexual priests as well.
Given, this, if we ban priests with gay orientation, why shouldn’t we ban priests with straight orientations? after all, both are subject to temptations, albeit different types.
So, his emphasis is not on the orientation, but on self-control in light of temptation.
I thnk he has a oroblem with anyone having sex outside of marriage, and marriage is still defined as between a man and a woman in the Cathloc church.
I agree wizth him. It’s kind of like alcoholics. The problem isn’t that they are alcoholics. The problem is when they start drinking.
The devil is busy, his time is short.
Holy Cow. (Religious forum - so I'll keep this clean.
Did you really just say this? (Repeated for emphasis)
Given, this, if we ban priests with gay orientation, why shouldn’t we ban priests with straight orientations? after all, both are subject to temptations, albeit different types.
FRiend, you really ought not to post things like this. You are doing your side a great deal of harm.
Seriously.
Homosexual tendencies are not a sin - it’s the homosexual act that the RC church has issue with.
Priests are supposed to be celibate anyway - so maintaining their celibacy in the face of their homo/hetero sexual inclinations is the rule.
RE: FRiend, you really ought not to post things like this. You are doing your side a great deal of harm.
Look, I am not ENDORSING this view, I am simply articulating what I believe Francis thinks.
Now, if you seriously believe there’s something wrong with that argument, stop focusing on ME. Attack the argument.
It's not clear to me how the Pope is defining homosexuality.
And I respectfully disagree with the Pope about judging people. Chewing out a Corinthian church for tolerating incest in 1 Corinthians 5, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 that church members are to judge other members, not those outside the church.
I,I,I....
Sorry. Hard not to focus on you when all you post about is “what I think he thinks.”
“Attack the Argument”? Easy. The Bible contradicts what the Pope is advocating.
End. Of. Argument.
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