Free Republic

A television presenter with Poland’s state broadcaster has apologised for the years of “shameful words” directed at LGBTQ+ people, in a moment hailed by a prominent rights campaigner as the closing of a chapter in Polish society. Bart Staszewski, an activist and film-maker, said the apology made to him live on air on Sunday showed the transformation of a broadcaster that served as a mouthpiece for the Law and Justice (PiS) party during its time in power. Looking directly into the camera, Szeląg said: “For many years in Poland, shameful words have been directed at numerous individuals because they chose...

[Catholic Caucus] Church must rethink its 'anachronistic' sexual ethic: priestRonaldo Zacharias, a moral theologian, feels Catholic theology not helping people integrate sexuality into their personhood Father Ronaldo Zacharias (left) is pictured with Pope Francis while attending the International Congress of Moral Theology from May 13-14, 2022, at the VaticanThe Catholic Church's "established, dogmatic models of the theological approach to sexuality have become anachronistic," a moral theologian told a conference on sexuality and culture at the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences in Rome.Developing a new theological ethics of sexuality is "a task for the entire church...

[Catholic Caucus] Wonderful Diversity: OFM Provincial Proclaims His "Homosexuality"Father Markus Fuhrmann, OFM, head of the 200-member German Franciscan Province, has told urbi et orbi that he is a "homosexual".He explained his confession to Katholisch.de (12 March) by saying that "I had to change something for the sake of my own honesty". Katholisch.de is run by the German bishops.Already in January 2022, Fuhrmann took part in 'OutInChurch', a homosexual propaganda campaign by about 120 employees of the "Catholic" Church in Germany, which employs about 650,000 people (including 'Caritas').Five months later, when the provincial chapter had to elect a new provincial, Fuhrmann...

[Catholic Caucus] Spanish cardinal vows to ‘fully apply’ Fiducia Supplicans, cracks down on priestly oppositionSpanish priests involved in a petition asking Pope Francis to revoke Fiducia Supplicans ‘have been seriously admonished, they have been asked if they have anything against the Pope,’ Cardinal José Cobo said.MADRID (LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid has moved to quash opposition to Fiducia Supplicans, warning his priests that “we are going to fully apply the Pope’s doctrine” on same-sex “blessings.”Speaking to Religión Digital on January 8, Cobo expressed his full support of the December 18 text Fiducia Supplicans, which purports to open the...

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced his choice of Gabriel Attal, 34, to serve as France's youngest-ever prime minister in a bid to give new momentum to his presidency following a year of protests and criticism from both the left and the right. "The president of the republic appointed Mr. Gabriel Attal prime minister and tasked him with forming a government," read a presidential statement issued on Tuesday. Gabriel Attal rose to prominence as the government spokesman and education minister. He is France’s first openly gay prime minister. Attal's predecessor Élisabeth Borne resigned on Monday following recent political turmoil over...

Gabriel Attal is the new Prime Minister of France, who at 34 years old is the youngest and the first openly gay Prime Minister in the Republic, as President Macron attempts to breathe fresh life into his trouble-stricken government. President Emmanuel Macron has appointed an up-and-coming party loyalist to the key position of Prime Minister in his government after forcing the previous incumbent Élisabeth Borne out of the post yesterday afternoon. Gabriel Attal, who is in a civil union with the leader of Emmanuel Macron’s governing Renaissance party, the MEP Stéphane Séjourné, had been education minister for just six months...

[Catholic Caucus] Archbishop: Francis Should Have Declared Homosexual Sin as Something GoodThe new Archbishop of Bamberg, Herwig Gössl, 56, told Sueddeutsche.de (5 January) that he had hoped for "clearer" statements from Francis/Fernández on homosexual sins.At least he sees the logical flaw in the pamphlet 'Sodoma supplicans': "I thought that if we were to bless such unions, the doctrine would have to evolve in such a way that homosexual acts would no longer be considered a grave sin."But he is confident that Francis' pamphlet will change "practice" and will not be "the end of the debate".An archbishop who doesn't know that...

Yesterday, we reported that Joel Rainey, a prominent and outspoken Southern Baptist pastor argued on social media that Obergefell, the Supreme Court decision that falsely found that same-sex “marriage” was protected by the Constitution, should not be overturned and that Christians shouldn’t support it. Arguing that homosexuals in these civil unions are in “marriage relationships,” he stated that his opposition to overturning “gay marriage” (something that doesn’t exist), was basically rooted in the desire to not have to deal with the aftermath of unholy unions being “suddenly invalidated.” Of course, his position is completely unbiblical and disqualifying as a pastor...

On 25 March, 1969, Judy Garland took to the stage at the Falkoner Center in Copenhagen. As she reached the crescendo of Over the Rainbow – the song which made her a global star aged just 17 – it was unknown to the audience that they were watching her final live performance. Four months later, 47 year-old Garland was found dead in Chelsea, London, after accidentally overdosing on the drugs she had self-medicated with since childhood. One of the headlines would read: “Judy’s voice stilled. The rainbow is gone.

NEW YORK (AP) — Elton John's musical about televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker is coming to Broadway from London. “Tammy Faye” will land in New York City during the 2024-25 season, producers said Friday. John wrote the music, while Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears penned the lyrics The musical was nominated for four 2023 Olivier Awards, including best musical, but lost the musical crown to “Standing at the Sky’s Edge.” The story is by James Graham with direction by Rupert Goold. Bakker, who died of cancer in 2007 at age 65, has captivated popular culture. Her story was told in the...

The Taoiseach has said that what is happening in Gaza is not just self-defense on the part of Israel, but it “resembles something more approaching revenge”. Leo Varadkar’s comments come as Israeli ground troops are encircling Gaza City this morning. He said that it is very important that people “never forget where this started”, adding that this phase of the conflict started with a Hamas attack on Israel where 1,400 civilians were killed, including one person who was a dual Israeli-Irish citizen. “I strongly believe, like any state, Israel has a right to defend itself, has the right to go...

Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony has withdrawn his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff in the race to replace the late Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate. While Anthony touts Schiff’s support of “women, LGBTQ individuals, gun violence prevention activists, and labor unions,” he said he cannot back Schiff given the congressman’s support of Israel in the ongoing battle against Hamas. Anthony, who recently received backlash for his participation in a spanking by a drag queen at a private event, supports a ceasefire and a peaceful solution to the fighting, he said in his statement. The mayor added that the “only...

[Catholic Caucus] Pope Francis again meets pro-LGBT Fr. James Martin days before start of Synod on SynodalityFather James Martin, SJ's evident papal favor continued, not just with his personal invited to the Synod, but with a private meeting with the Pontiff.Just days prior to the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis met once again with prominent LGBT advocate priest Father James Martin, SJ, who is due to take part at the Synod as a voting member. While no details of the meeting were included on the Pope’s private calendar, Fr. Martin himself revealed the news of his Papal meeting via social...

[Catholic Caucus] New Cardinal Pierre's suggestion for US bishops: 'Always listen' to the popePope Francis' ambassador to the United States admonished Catholic bishops who claim to adhere to papal authority, while at the same time openly criticizing the current pontiff. "The pope is not an idea. Some people say 'I am with the pope, but not with this one.' And they are mistaken. The pope is a real person," said Cardinal-designate Christophe Pierre on Sept. 29. "When the Lord chose Peter, he didn't choose an idea, he chose Peter and he said 'I choose you and I will build my...

San Francisco’s annual “Up Your Alley” Fair, a fetish festival that anyone of any age, can attend, forces us to ask that question. A friend of mine, whenever he sees my dog in his little harness, invariably asks the dog if he’s proud of his San Francisco styling. It’s a funny joke, and my dog and I get a good laugh every time, but behind the joke is a serious issue, and that’s how long our country can survive the decadence that’s taking over. The reason I bring this up is that the annual “Up Your Alley” Fair took place...

[Catholic Caucus] Exclusive: Archbishop Fernandez Warns Against Bishops Who Think They Can Judge ‘Doctrine of the Holy Father’The Vatican’s new doctrinal chief also discusses his openness to same-sex Church blessings, shares his thoughts on the German Synodal Way, and explains his approach to safeguarding doctrine.The incoming prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has warned that bishops — both “progressive” and those from “traditionalist groups” — who think they have a “special gift of the Holy Spirit to judge the doctrine of the Holy Father” are on a road to “heresy” and “schism.”Speaking in response to a...

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[Catholic Caucus] Archbishop of Berlin permits blessings of homosexual couplesArchbishop Koch: Blessing of homosexual couples possible in archdiocese. He will not take any disciplinary actionArchbishop Heiner Koch leaves it up to the pastors of his archdiocese to bless homosexual couples. However, he himself will only do so after a certain point in time, the Berlin head pastor emphasises.Welcoming homosexual and trans refugeesIn the Archdiocese of Berlin, blessings of homosexual couples are possible. Archbishop Heiner Koch leaves it up to his full-time chaplains to do so. He will not take disciplinary action against them if they bless such couples in special...

[Catholic Caucus] Cardinal’s tribute to ‘God Save the Queer’ author reflects ‘both/and’ instinctROME – Italy is a county that reveres artists and intellectuals, in part because since antiquity, culture has been its leading export. Thus the recent death of a 51-year-old novelist and essayist named Michela Murgia, after a long struggle with cancer, has been a national drama here, even amid the traditional mid-August doldrums.To be sure, Michela was not everyone’s cup of tea.Although she professed herself to be a believing Catholic, her strongly progressive positions on issues such as women’s liberation, LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, euthanasia and artificial reproduction –...

Republicans who want their party to support the transgender and homosexual agenda are upset that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign has criticized 2024 opponent President Donald Trump for boosting it.“To wrap up ‘Pride Month,’ let’s hear from the politician who did more than any other Republican to celebrate it,” DeSantis War Room, the digital messaging arm of the governor’s presidential campaign, tweeted, along with a video produced by another user named “Proud Conservative.”The video notes that President Trump’s presidential campaign sold “LGBTQ for Trump” shirt, and also that he held up a rainbow flag to show his support for...