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 you may get about 8 posts, rather than 385 like Papacy / Hierarchy in the Bible. You could have made it a Catholic Caucus, but you did not with that one of others like it.
Try concentrating on your own faith for a change. Why the obsession with all things Catholic?
Because the last question applies to RCs. We respond to the incessant promotion of elitist Rome because Truth matters, and eternally so, which is what some RCs will say they advertise and promote Rome. Want less reproof, post less.
Well then, do a search of Daniel1212 on the RF, and then do one of IrishBrigade and see how they compare. Or ask the regulars.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
“Truth matters”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is truth. The Bible should never be read without it.
It sounds so much better in the original Latin as spoken by Mary just prior to the Assumption.
A Catholic Caucus will keep pesky PROTESTants out; but WHERE will Catholics meet to FIGHT between themselves over the various things they DISAGREE on?
What about us irregulars?
The Book of MORMON is MORE truth! The Bible cannot be understood without it.
History: ain't it GRAND!!
Pope Stephen VI (896–897), who had his predecessor Pope Formosus exhumed, tried, de-fingered, briefly reburied, and thrown in the Tiber.[1]
Pope John XII (955–964), who gave land to a mistress, murdered several people, and was killed by a man who caught him in bed with his wife.
Pope Benedict IX (1032–1044, 1045, 1047–1048), who "sold" the Papacy
Pope Boniface VIII (1294–1303), who is lampooned in Dante's Divine Comedy
Pope Urban VI (1378–1389), who complained that he did not hear enough screaming when Cardinals who had conspired against him were tortured.[2]
Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503), a Borgia, who was guilty of nepotism and whose unattended corpse swelled until it could barely fit in a coffin.[3]
Pope Leo X (1513–1521), a spendthrift member of the Medici family who once spent 1/7 of his predecessors' reserves on a single ceremony[4]
Pope Clement VII (1523–1534), also a Medici, whose power-politicking with France, Spain, and Germany got Rome sacked.
It is just such arguments by assertions that examples the question-begging apologetics RCs often must resort to, and are exposed as being fallacious.
And besides Scripture being the supreme standard for Truth, and which Rome contradicts , even RCs admit the Catechism can contain errors
Please list the “good popes”.
“And besides Scripture being the supreme standard for Truth”.
Thanks for listing scripture the Catholic Church gave the world as being the supreme standard for truth.
Every last one of them!
Please ignore the, uh, not-so-good ones.
If Catholicism cannot keep the Head guy on track; what chance has the little guy got?
Do not make this thread “about” individual Freepers. That is also a form of “making it personal.”
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
...why are you addressing that comment to me...??? it was daniel1212 who started in about checking the names on particular threads...
Whereas that style of debate is expected in News/Bloggers/Chat - on the Religion Forum, ad hominems are not tolerable since they often incite flame wars due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter.
For more: guidelines to the Religion Forum.
Well then, do a search of Daniel1212 on the RF, and then do one of IrishBrigade and see how they compare. Or ask the regulars.
...I know this thread is getting old, and you may have split, but if not, well, are you seriously suggesting that I should go to a bunch of threads where you are raving endless bigoted drivel, which is then somehow going to elucidate me...?
...because it’s the Christian thing to do, I’m going to offer you another suggestion...read a book, any book, concerning the subject of gaining listeners and influencing people...and read it real well...and come back...because the style you’re using now, well, just ain’t getting it done...
Whereas that style of debate is expected in News/Bloggers/Chat - on the Religion Forum, ad hominems are not tolerable since they often incite flame wars due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter.
...I get it...so people making snide comments about one’s religion are safe on this forum, but those who attempt to defend against that snark are singled out as ‘inciters of flame wars’...I get it, Mr. Moderator...
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