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.
It would mean that either he never was the Pope, or that he had just ceased to be Pope.
The good bishop should ask God to change His policy towards homosexuals.
Last I heard of this soggy saga, he's still in his cups a lot.
This active alcoholic dumped his wife and kids to shack up with a guy and embrace the gay lifestyle, not to mention proselytizing to those that don't.
Great choice by the Episcopalians...
This guy is an idiot. Cancer is a disordered condition as well, but people don't beat up on its victims.
NO!
Discrimination is a GOOD thing.
Someone explain the whole Protestant/Catholic thing to the poor bishop. He seems confused. Maybe the name Martin Luther will ring a bell.
No.
(Note: if you want to talk to a leftist, "heterodox" catholic -- possibly some Dhim relative or in-law, you will need a bit more than that, though)
The Episcopal Church?
Isn’t that the only Protestant denomination that Catholics will accept ordained Episcopalian ministers into the Catholic church as priests from?
Seems to me I’ve heard of several accounts of Episcopalian ministers who have left their church for the RCC.
I find it odd that while the Catholic church condemns Protestant churches for being too liberal in that area, that they’ll accept the ordination of men from the very denominations they condemn.
I’d like to see the Pope respond to this directly by calling on Robinson to repent and be saved. I can dream can’t I?
Will truth ever reign again? Evil reigns now.
Mostly this guy has always been a fame whore.
RE: Id like to see the Pope respond to this directly by calling on Robinson to repent and be saved.
I highly doubt of Gene Robinson’s message will ever reach Pope Francis, and if it does, he’ll most probably just ignore it as another one of those similar nuisance demands that come from everywhere else.
Sorry to break it to you, but Episcopal "ordinations" are invalid.
Any Episcopal minister who becomes Catholic and is allowed to continue in his ministry must receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The same as a Presbyterian minister or a Lutheran minister.
The only others that have valid Holy Orders are the Orthodox (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, etc.)
Looks like Gene and his honey hitting the slopes in Red Hampshire for a little...well, never mind. State is full of perverts and angry feminists.
Of course, homosexual perversion is objectively disordered. That makes retired “bishop” Vicki Gene Robinson objectively disordered. Then there is the matter that “bishop” Vicki Gene is an Episcopalian and that Catholic doctrine is none of his infernal business.
I thought, according to Catholics, the authority to bind on earth was given to Peter and consequently down the line to future Popes?
(Actually, it's all bishops)
Nonetheless, that means the ability to forgive or retain sins.
That doesn't mean that a Pope suddenly has the authority to nullify Sacred Scripture.
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