Is Pope Francis a weak sister on gay marriage? A week after commenting about the “gay lobby” at the Vatican, Francis made high-profile remarks about marriage that were noteworthy for what they didn’t stress: that the Vatican view that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Francis’ remarks came during discussion with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who heads the Anglican communion. Welby has been an opponent of legislation in Britain that would legalize marriage equality. In his comments to Welby, Francis said he hoped to work with Welby on promoting values “based on marriage” and on “the stability of families founded on marriage.”
Now, in the real world, having two opponents of same-sex marriage get together for a confab and talk about working together would meet with a yawn (at least from us). But apparently Francis explicitly decided to ditch the fire-and-brimstone rhetoric about the threat of same-sex unions, even if he still believes it. Vatican officials said that the pope was trying to steer clear of any provocative statements, in clear contrast to his predecessor who had no problem trashing us.
Francis has not made any comments about the marriage debates in France or Britain. During the marriage debate in his native Argentina, he looked upon civil unions as “the lesser of two evils.” He’s hardly a proponent of equality, though. “Every person needs a masculine father and a feminine mother to help them settle their identity,” he wrote years ago.
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So here’s a question: does silence make the homophobia any better?
hyhybt
“So here’s a question: does silence make the homophobia any better?”—The homophobia itself, no; its effects, yes. In particular, it has to spread less that way.
Cagnazzo82
@hyhybt: Get a clue hyhybt. Is it not obvious Pope Francis doesn’t really have an issue with gays?
Ruhlmann
When did we start caring what these old raisins think one way or another. Fuckem. We’re doing fine in spite of them. Fuckem.
jwrappaport
Qui tacet consentire videtur.
2eo
@Ruhlmann: We don’t, sadly there are billions of ill educated morons who believe in sky fairies who think the man is the literal word of some god or something. They also kill us, fund death squads to butcher our brothers in Africa and give new identities to paedophiles by the thousand.
Sadly they are a massive threat to civilised society.
dvlaries
I think Cagnazzo82 is on to something. Isn’t it possible that Francis is more liberal than we suppose but just doesn’t want to get forthright about it till maybe after Bennie croaks? It’s gotta be a rather unique thing: it’s been centuries since the so-called living embodiment of Christ on Earth had to cope with his predecessor embodiment of Christ on Earth still hangin’ around and observing all he says and does. Who could blame Frank if he’s not quite sure he has the job….?
Polaro
So, you finally get to be Pope and god still does not talk to you. You can’t heal people. You realize you are still the same old fart you were before you got to be Pope. Does it make you wonder about all the rest of the mumbo jumbo, Francis?