WEEK IN COMMENTS

Queerty Readers Weigh In On The Election Of Pope Francis I

pope francisThe Catholic Church picked its new prom queen on Wednesday, and we weighed in on whether we can expect some change from Francis I. (Short answer: no.)

But Queerty readers had more than a little to say as well. Here’s a sampling:

 

Why would we see a shift? Benedict increased the number of Cardinals voting to insure his own election, and he has now had the beholden choose a person he fully supported. No difference. —Cam

The new pope is probably even more conservative about birth control, abortion, same-sex relationships. Consequently, the Catholics will continue to be mired down in the thick mud of scandal and hypocrisy surrounding child abuse, the evasion and coverups. A new conservative pope means a missed opportunity to bring this 2000-year obsolete political-religious behemoth into the 21st century, embracing the cultural and religious changes that are long overdue. The first victims of change, are those that fail to embrace it. —Ronsfo

 

So they traded one old man who looked like the literal incarnation of evil, for another old man who looks like a guy that gets habitually caught masturbating in a public library? —MK Ultra

 

I don’t know much about Bergoglio, and I obviously have problems with the existing Catholic stance on gays and gay marriage, but is it maybe unfair to run with a headline “Everything Else Remains As Awful As Ever In The Catholic Church,” on the guy’s first day? There is little-to-no room to speculate that Francis will shift the Church’s position on gay marriage—my basic understanding is that he fought marriage equality in Argentina, and called it demonic, etc. I concede that.

But first and foremost, it’s only been a few hours. Second, while flawed, Bergoglio agrees we should be respected. That counts for something, right? So the “as awful as its ever been” emphasis of the piece is kind of misleading—especially since there was a time we’d be put to death.

Third, I can think of a few religious figures who think of us as less than human. That small difference strikes me as a great first step. —AP

 

Actually this could be a really good thing if played correctly by the UK media. An Argentinian pope could be the final nail in the Catholic coffin here in Britain. We need a concerted effort to really show the people of Britain that this is the horrible news that it is: I would even consider implied support of the Church of England if they pushed for a frosting of relations with Catholics.

Does seem like it could happen—we have an Archbishop of Canterbury here who comes from an oil background.   —2EO

 

Even with all the stupid things he has said about marriage equality, I think maybe he could have at least an open ear to reason. He is also a man of science, and a chemist before even becoming a priest. Give him a chance.  —TimeLord89

 

Looks like just another asshole in a dress to me. —StFallon1028

 

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