Pope Francis made some sweeping and one might say presumptuous statements this past Sunday which have caused more traditional Catholics to wonder whether their church will survive the often off-the-cuff remarks of the pontiff.
Following the lead of Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who seemed to be testing the waters for a statement on LGBT relations with the church and beyond, the Pope made the following observations:
“I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally,” Francis said at a press conference aboard the papal plane returning from Armenia.
“The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times — when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners!”
“I believe that the church not only should apologize to the person who is gay whom it has offended,” he added, “but has to apologize to the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labor; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons.”
Francis first uttered that rhetorical question — Who am I to judge gay people? — in 2013, also during a news conference on the papal plane. His comments were hailed as a breakthrough for a church that has historically condemned homosexuality, often in harsh terms. Francis has not changed church doctrine that calls homosexual acts sinful, but he has shown a more merciful approach to people on the margins, including gays and lesbians.
A leading cardinal of the Catholic Church, one who is part of a council to help advise Pope Francis, preceded the pontiffs remarks at a different venue, saying that the church should apologize to gays and lesbians for the “scandalous and terrible treatment” inflicted on them for many years by the church and its members. Cardinal Reinhard Marx stated that “the history of homosexuals in our societies is very bad because we’ve done a lot to marginalize [them].”
It is worth wondering if the social changes in society and the drifting of membership has caused a new perspective in the church.
Cardinals comments question Church position on gays and lesbians, page 2:
BLOODY HELL IT WILL
Hmm. The Church or the closed denomination and political drive as well as all the violence you used on children in early years in America. Let’s not forget your pedophiles in the 1980s. Christianity says hey Jesus excepts all that want to set at his table. Who the$#%&!@*did you all think you were politically manipulating and instilling fear into those finding Jesus. You did real well there and you kept the name of a civilization riddled by events you recreated again. Rome. Wow. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not knocking religious beliefs only the closed interpretation on closed societies and smallness in teach ideology based on political ambition. I guess while they were throwing christians to lion’s you all turned a blind eye. Bring on the Crusades and let’s finish the job. God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob (Israel) is the living God, not pagan Allah. “I am the LORD (Yahweh): that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8)
You guys have to lay off our Pontiff. As Pope Francis said, “Who am I to judge!” The Roman Catholic community is the largest denomination of a faith community in the USA. (With Southern Baptist a very distant second place.) As Catholics we are taught from the earliest days of our education not to be judgmental of others. RESPECT for all life is the #1 priority of our Catholic Community. Dona Nobis Pacem!
Phony Pope is a Dope and a Joke
Socialist moron
The church ones a huge apology ti not only gay people but our youth in general. They have watered down scripture to Make It palatable enough to bring in contributions. Pure and simple. I ask you what good is going if it validates sin? The purpose of church is a lot like an AS meeting, to remind us of the Lord’s commands and to praise our Lord. Fellowship together revelling in the holy spirit.
I will not apologize for God. I am but lowly flesh and bones.This is our Father’s law.
Hope the Pope sees this.
I don’t think so P**p Francis
Is this guy even a catholic? He seems to be changing all beliefs of Catholicism. Scratching my head.