Pope Francis is expanding on his 2013 remarks about gays.
In an interview with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, Pope Francis is asked how he might act as a confessor to a gay person just a few years after his “who am I to judge?” remarks made many hopeful that the Vatican is heading toward a softer stance on gays.
The reply appears in a new book called The Name of God is Mercy and, well, read for yourself:
“On that occasion I said this: If a person is gay and seeks out the Lord and is willing, who am I to judge that person? I was paraphrasing by heart the Catechism of the Catholic Church where it says that these people should be treated with delicacy and not be marginalized.”
“I am glad that we are talking about ‘homosexual people’ because before all else comes the individual person, in his wholeness and dignity, and people should not be defined only by their sexual tendencies: let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love.”
“I prefer that homosexuals come to confession, that they stay close to the Lord, and that we pray all together. You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it.”
We’re not Catholics, but it all sounds very similar to the “love the sinner, hate the sin” nonsense we’ve heard from evangelical Christians for years.
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.
For every step forward like his original remarks, there is another step back, like his meeting with Kim Davis. Then again, he did meet with a gay couple the day before, but we’re sick of how ambiguous it all remains.
We’ll leave it to the Catholics among Queerty readers to discuss and analyze, but we’re gonna keep on loving ourselves regardless of what anyone says.
Damon Robbins
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that his heart is in the right place.He is not turning us away but inviting us in.
Irish Ryan
The Pope does not have the authority to change the Church’s moral teachings anyway.So whatever off the cuff comments he makes it does not change that fact.Most non Catholics and many non Catholics do not understand this.
JessPH
> “You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it.”
Show them the way? And what way would that be, beloved Pope Francis? The supress-your-homosexual-desires-and-live-as-a-heterosexual way?
1EqualityUSA
Show them the way? What? Taking advantage of vulnerable children? No thanks. Show yourself and all of your pedophile priests out.
Xzamilio
@Damon Robbins: Yeah… inviting us in to turn away from the gay. This is nothing more than passive aggressive homophobia, but I guess it’s better than nothing… except it’s not.
Giancarlo85
Forget the church and forget what this guy is saying. I cannot believe some gay people champion these lukewarm comments as if they are groundbreaking. This Pope has been consistently any form of gay relationships and against same sex marriage. I wouldn’t accept crumbs thrown at me.
Tom Emerick
I gave up religion when I learned to think for myself. Sorry so many people still feel the need to give this person any power over their lives.
gaym50ish
If Christians really want to convince us that they love us, they need to stop quoting Leviticus. There’s nothing quite so hateful as being told you should be put to death.
Prinny
He’s blatantly stating bigotry, there’s nothing ambiguous in his words at all. Grow up people he ain’t accepting any more than he was before. You don’t need a religion that openly hates you in your lives!
Dave Downunder
This is just the churches way of trying to appear progressive and relevant while not really changing their views. It is all just clever wording which is all it ever is with them.
Mkiel
@Dave Downunder: you are so right .The pope has been clever with his pr.
John Malin
I find it a bit disturbing that a Pontiff has to clarify his earlier remarks about anything. Was he babbling, or drunk earlier?
Phillip Bernal
These fucks are clueless when it comes to real people…
William Brogan
The once better than the rest pope now serving to me is just as bad as the ones b 4.
Masc Pride
How sensitive do you have to be to get “love the sinner, hate the sin” from his statement. He’s clearly welcoming gay people into the church.
JoshGL
He never met with privately with Kim Davis. She was part of a group. There are no pictures of the “meeting” because it never happened as she described it. On the other hand, his meeting with his former student and his lover are well documented.
He is doing everything he can within doctrine and the current environment.
He’s our best advocate yet.
Sweetie Pie
The Pope will love gays only if they do not marry, do not create families and do not engage in sexual activity
Spare me the love
youarekiddingme
@JoshGL: Bullshit…here’s the article and substantiation from Vatican spokespeople and the Holy See: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/02/445236066/vatican-details-pope-s-meeting-with-kentucky-clerk-kim-davis
Their comments from the Vatican simply stated that they didn’t know the implications of the meeting with Davis…but there WAS a meeting with DAVIS. The Vatican ACKNOWLEDGES it!
The article clearly states (last paragraph) “…the pope met with several dozens of persons…” It did NOT refute that he met privately with Davis. It did not refute that he met privately with anyone for that matter. It didn’t say that he met with all of them at once either (as many people ASSUME).
It also states that, “The pope did not enter into the details of the situation with Mrs. Davis and his meeting with her…”
So, NO he’s NOT OUR BEST ADVOCATE YET!! I say again, the Vatican is the richest entity on Earth. Put their money where their mouth is! Advocate that!
He’s doing everything he can? How about throwing that previous pope who protected all those child molesting priests out of the Vatican? That would be a good start! He’s hiding him from prosecution and civil litigation!
youarekiddingme
@Masc Pride: Go join the Catholic Church. I think it would be wonderful for a man like you!
WillParkinson
With friends like him….
zaneymcbanes
@Damon Robbins: Agreed. He’s not waving a rainbow flag, but he’s leaning toward the right direction.
Sansacro
@youarekiddingme: Lol!
Xzamilio
@zaneymcbanes: Of course he’s leaning towards the right direction… the Catholic Church is a right-leaning organization.
Sansacro
Yes! On the subject of sex, the church maintains utmost credibility!
Religion. It would be a total joke if it didn’t have such global power and wasn’t the cause of so much suffering and violence.
Josh447
Dude. You are still trying to put lipstick on a pig. Stop already. You’re being silly. Go shine your red shoes. Polish your car. Do SOMEthing productive w your LIFE instead of tearing people down w forked tongue and nasty ruminations. It’s got to be tough living inside that guilty confused brain of yours.
youarekiddingme
@Josh447: Putting lipstick on a pig??? Wtf..where did that come from? You are putting lipstick on a pig if you think that pope is a friend to the LGBTQ Community in general! Silly? Did you read that article? Can you respond to any of it? Can you read?
Did you read any of the other comments listed above? I’m not the only one speaking with a “forked” tongue (now that’s funny).
Go join your friend up there and join the Catholic Church together. I’m sure you’ll love their warm hospitality!
youarekiddingme
@Josh447: Our BEST ADVOCATE….What kind of DRUGS ARE YOU TAKING? I can think of HUNDREDS of people who are better advocates than that asshole!
drivendervish
I think what the Pope said is great. It’s not as accepting as I would like but he walks a thin line when he speaks out on controversial issues and the majority of catholic faithful would prefer to stone gay people.
1EqualityUSA
stoning a driven dervish would be some feat.
Masc Pride
@youarekiddingme: I thought we had called a truce. What are you menstruating over now?
@drivendervish: What is it about this statement that seems disapproving to you? I honestly don’t see it.
youarekiddingme
@Masc Pride: Did we? Ok. Just got a problem with that Catholic hierarchy…especially that butt munch at the top!!
youarekiddingme
@Masc Pride: Don’t expect “approval” when you support those hypocrites though…
Transiteer
Francis was NOT a friend when he was in Argentina (before he got the Pope job). I doubt whether he’s as harsh as the hard-liners that actually run the Vactican, and can decided to ‘get rid’ of this guy should they collectively decide to do so (remember John Paul Ist?). He might be fighting off them and trying to be more compassionate, but he’s the head of this archaic behemoth and it’s not going to change. I don’t understand gays that absolutely need to be “in” this place, or “in” any religion. It’s all man made and intended to control you. There’s nothing wrong with you – there a long list of whats wrong with them. Take the hint – BE your own religion, and show to others what a good person looks and acts like. Tell these stone age bullies you don’t need them anymore. No one, including any religion, should be required for you to feel justified.
dustashed
It is worth noting that in predominantly catholic nations like spain, ireland and philippines that attitudes towards gay people even among very religious communities and even by the clergy are less hostile and more tolerant when compared to other non catholic nations.
And I think I mentioned this before but drag shows and local “Miss Gay” beauty pageants are commonly held on feast day of Saints just adjacent to the local parish/church. No one bats an eye.
Also during feast day of the local patron saints, the local priesr employs the help of gay men to help decorate the church and floats for the festivities.
So yeah, I’d say catholics.. From my personal experience tend to be more tolerant.
dustashed
@Transiteer:
Yes i agree, but i like being catholic even though I don’t subscribe to every last bit of dogma. I have faith even when the organized religion to which i subscribe to is less than ideal.
I just don’t buy the “if they don’t accept you then your better off without them” motto thats very pervasive in mainstream gay ideology. I guess im a believer in not giving up on people or communities. *cue And im telling you music*
Kieran
A video is worth a thousand words. The Pope having a private meeting with his gay friend and his male partner during his trip to USA:
https://youtu.be/1YiDfFdZ51I
youarekiddingme
@dustashed: That may be the case (about Feast Day of Saints), but if you check the attached calendar, you will see that almost EVERY day of the year is a celebrated feast day of saints: http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/feast-days.htm
Letting the token “gays” decorate your church or “Jews” do your taxes or be your attorney does not make you a supporter…just saying…