A Pastoral Earthquake: Catholic Church Proposes Major Shift On LGBT Individuals

[Webster]

Think Progress: "A ‘Pastoral Earthquake’: Catholic Church Proposes Extraordinary Shift On Gays And Lesbians"

A panel of high-ranking Catholic officials has proposed a dramatic change in the way the church treats gays and lesbians. The group of Cardinals, known as a synod, suggested the church is capable of “valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine.”

The Cardinals stopped well short of endorsing gay marriage, stating “unions between people of the same sex cannot be considered on the same footing as matrimony between man and woman.” But they also acknowledged, in a section called

“Welcoming homosexual persons,” there “are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners.” The Cardinals also suggest that same-sex couples should never be discriminated against in ways that could impact their children.

The document was called a “pastoral eathquake” by John Thavis, a prominent journalist who covers the Vatican. It was produced by Pope Francis’s ongoing extraordinary synod on the family. That group previously polled Catholics about their opinions on issues including same-sex marriage, divorce, and contraception. The document produced by the synod, however, does not represent a formal change in church policy.

The document released today is also a preliminary document. Another one will be released at the end of the synod. The new language is reflective of more inclusive thinking by Pope Francis on homosexuality. Earlier this year, Pope Francis may have hinted at support for civil unions for same-sex couples. Speaking specifically about gay priests last year, Francis said, “Who am I to judge [homosexual priests] if they’re seeking the Lord in good faith? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem… they’re our brothers.”

Pope Francis also recently appointed Bishop Blase Cupich, an outspoken critic of anti-gay bullying, as Archdiocese of Chicago.

Several of the world’s Catholic countries — including Argentina and Brazil — have begun to embrace gay marriage.

Earlier this month, 50 influential conservative christian activists urged “church leaders reiterate a traditional understanding of sexuality and gender roles” at the synod.

Thoughts?

 

[Dee]

I think this is wonderful. They don't necessarily have to condone the way someone lives their life, but they can at least be civil and understanding that gay people are human beings, too. I mean, if we use religions logic we are all sinners in God's eyes and no sin is "better" than another. Maybe in some cases, but it sounds like a load of hypocrisy to me. You should be punished for getting a divorce or having sex outside of marriage. If you've ever cheated on someone, here's your one-way ticket to hell. Like to wear wool and linen? You're screwed. Sorry if you like shellfish, too. You're dirty and you're going to rot in the bowls of the inferno. Tattooed up that gorgeous skin of yours? Hello, Satan! I get the room next to the soda machine, right?

I hate how people cherry pick this stuff like they're holier-than-thou, and then rob people of their rights as a human being to be together with the people they love. But this seems like a step in the right direction, at least.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

My wife is the Catholic in the family and I know she would not have a problem this. But this will not be good enough for the leftist activist gays. They will bitch and moan until they get special rights like being gay is a race.

 

[Dee]

My wife is the Catholic in the family and I know she would not have a problem this. But this will not be good enough for the leftist activist gays. They will bitch and moan until they get special rights like being gay is a race.

Kinda like how certain other groups bitch and moan about gays being 'wrong' and 'unnatural' and that they shouldn't be able to have the same rights and be treated like human beings in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. *nod* Everyone is going to piss and moan about something. It's not just one group doing it.