Is there such a thing as a kinder, gentler homophobia? It seems we’re about to find out. After decades of saying that gayness was “a disordered sexual inclination which is essentially self-indulgent,” the Catholic Church seems poised to make a major change in its attitude toward homosexuality. In short, the Vatican may actually think we’re human.
In an interim report released by the bishops attending the extraordinary synod in Rome, the Church has started to sing from a new hymnal when it comes to LGBT people. The report says that “homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community” and asked, “Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?”
Even as a rhetorical question, that’s a remarkable statement. Who would have imagined that the Church wanted to welcome us, let alone say we have something to offer? That’s not the kind of rhetoric that Pope Francis’ immediate predecessor would ever have used.
Even more astonishing, the bishops tentatively acknowledge that maybe same-sex relationships aren’t quite the nonstop flight to hell that they’ve previously suggested.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“Without denying the moral problems connected to homosexual unions it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners,” the bishops wrote.
Vatican observers said that the language was a dramatic turnaround for the Vatican and clearly reflects Pope Francis’ commitment to dialing down the Church’s condemnation of homosexuality.
“In pastoral terms, the document … represents an earthquake, the ‘big one’ that hit after months of smaller tremors,” wrote John Thavis, a journalist who has covered the Vatican for 30 years.
Needless to say, the conservative Catholics who delighted in the Vatican’s hardline are stunned and see Francis as a traitor.
“What will Catholics parents now have to tell their children about contraception, cohabiting with partners or living homosexual lifestyles?” asked Maria Madise, coordinator of the Voice of the Family, a conservative Catholic group. “This approach destroys grace in souls.”
Just as important, the document drives a wedge between the Church and right-wing evangelicals in the U.S. The Catholic hierarchy had formed an alliance with conservative Christians to fight all things lavender.
“Should we patiently love and offer the gospel to those who are refusing to repent of immorality, whether cohabitation of anything else?” said Russell Moore, who heads public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention. “Yes. Should we baptize and admit those into membership those who refuse to walk away from such things? No.”
Before you get too excited, just remember: the Church still sees a gay relationship as a sin, and the bishops made it abundantly clear that they are adamantly opposed to marriage equality. (Also, it would be nice if they abandoned their reliance on “homosexual” for something more 21st century.) But just stopping the endless, vehement condemnation would be a nice step forward. And Francis is clearly laying out the path that he expects the Church to follow as long as he’s pope.
tdx3fan
I really fail to see why everyone is garnering onto this like its the reincarnation of Liz Taylor. If you read the actual quotes, they are barely throwing us crumbs. They are actually rehashing the same views they have always had. Homosexuality is still bad, mkay! (according to the Catholic Church). They expect any homosexuals in their flock to adhere directly the church’s teachings (abstinence before marriage and they don’t recognize gay marriage). In short, they are willing to recognize gay “partnerships” as long as those partners are willing to never have sex with one another.
Trippy
And somewhere in DC, Catholic masochist Andrew Sullivan is popping a nut.
Cy
While I can appreciate this as a step in the right direction, it is a mere baby step on a 10 km uphill trail to ever allowing the church anywhere near my life again. The church has waged a two thousand year-old war on gay people in which it has used oppression, condemnation, persecution, abuse, malignment, torture, and killings to try to rid the world of us. When the pope stands on his pulpit in front of his sheep and finally admits that the church has been wrong all this time in persecuting a whole segment of the human race, and all worshipers beg for our forgiveness and start to make retribution, then, and only then, will the healing begin.
Desert Boy
Thank goodness! I’ve spent more than a few sleepless nights worried about what the Catholic church thinks about me! LOL!
vive
Hello Queerty? Did you guys miss the part of this document that condemns Western nations for conditioning their funding of African countries on not killing gay people?
Billy Budd
They took, like, 500 years to apologize to Galileo. It will take them another 200 years to apologize and allow couples to use condoms and 300 years for them to apologize and allow same-sex marriages.
stanhope
Like I am going to kiss their ass and be grateful for crumbs. Catholicism is the most repugnant, hypocritical religion/cult on Earth. Between the pedophilia, what those nuns in Europe did to those kids and the stolen goods deep in the Vatican, I can’t countenance how any gay person could set foot in a catholic church.
Trippy
@stanhope:
Agreed, but Islam (as it’s currently practiced) is far worse.
TheNewEnergyDude
Same shit, different package.
Same lowlife corrupt maggots, though.
vive
@stanhope: “Catholicism is the most repugnant, hypocritical religion/cult on Earth.”
Mmm, it is pretty bad, but just for objective balance (how many people they are actually murdering and how bad they are for gays) I would put certain sects of Islam first, Hinduism second, Evangelicals third, and only then Catholicism.
Ogre Magi
@vive: Why Hinduism second?
Cobalt Blue
I think these are wonderful news. The ones here that are complaining and been disrespectful know nothing about catholicism or faith.
SteveDenver
I still think the Bishops are deceptive monsters who lie in the name of superstition and mythology. They have no right to pronounce judgment or approval of me or anyone else. They are men in fancy costumes.
OzJosh
Nothing about the latest pronouncements from the Vatican represents anything like a “major shift” in thinking. Pope Francis is essentially saying “I really wish things could be different, but they can’t. But we’ll be more compassionate about your evil sin.” It’s the same old “love the sinner, hate the sinner” malarky, ever so slightly re-packaged into a media soundbite that rather desperately attempts to create the illusion that the church is being responsive and striving for relevance. Any catholics hanging on, waiting for the church to catch up to the real world need to realise it’s never going to happen. Read your Bible and follow Jesus if you must, but supporting the catholic church is supporting oppression against gays and women.
OzJosh
*** “hate the sin” (obviously)
jamesnimmo
Gays have “gifts and qualities to offer”? I’m supposed to be honored and humbled by this condescension from a religious denomination that knowingly, for generations, hides child rapists from the parents and civil law enforcement?! I can live a long time before I’ll consider the Pope’s opinion to be legitimate.
Trippy
@jamesnimmo:
So true! These emperors have no clothes. I guess by “gifts” what they really mean is that we can continue playing the piano/organ during mass as long as we keep our mouths shut and don’t wear a rainbow pin on our lapels. How egalitarian of them!
SuperPhil
Why does the anti-religion crowd even care?
jlfbman
Well this is just a thought…..how many Priests, Bishops, Cardinals are actually in reality…..essentially…..GAY?? Lesbian Nuns?? Come on Catholic Church. What about TRUTH and HONESTY and LOVE?? The Church could learn about those human traits by spending more time in the LGBT communities. We understand those words and what they truly mean.
TomMc
@jlfbman: Good point j. Maybe most of them have hated us because they *are* us.
(At the very least, they’re ‘outsiders’, too; ones who’ve, like many of us, eschewed the more traditional life course of marrying someone of the opposite sex.)
vive
@Ogre Magi, what’s wrong with Hinduism? Where should I start? With the frequent massacres by Hindus of religious minorities in India? With the ingrained caste system? With the traditions of arranged marriage and the treatment of women and children as chattel? With the terrible treatment of gay men in Hindu culture?