Pope's New Message?

[Chris James]

It was predicted that this latest Pope would be a different kind of leader for the Catholic Church, and so far his statements have been seen as progressive, but now we have this:

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/29/19751976-pope-who-am-i-to-judge-gay-people

Is it shocking? Is the Pope going to throw open the doors of the Vatican and start celebrating gay masses and weddings? I seriously doubt that, and so do you.

I can assume that as nations across the world find a reason to accept their gay citizens, except for Russia and certain nasty African despot run countries, that the Catholic Church has to take a look at all these changes.

"Who am I to judge?" What a great question to ask. We know that religious leaders of the Christian faith often cherry pick their Bible quotes to back up their hate speech. But this Pope seems to be asking how anyone can speak against gays when those in the clergy are supposed to be the servants of God.

Too many of the Pat Robertson types want everyone to assume they speak for God. Seems we have a Pope that won't follow that path and that seems like a good thing. What effect it will have on Church doctrine remains to be seen.

I do worry though. The last time we had such a focus on gay people by the Church we were given the Inquisition. Ask your Jewish neighbors if there should be any cause for concern.

[Cole Parker]

I think it's significant. If the Pope says he's not qualified to judge the rightness or wrongness of being and acting gay, he's also saying that no one else on earth is so qualified, either. That's a pretty potent statement that should take the wind out of the sails of all the haters. It won't, of course. They enjoy hating too much. But it should, and it's a huge, huge step forward for Catholicism, in my way of looking at it.

C

[Camy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23489702

The Pope actually said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?" He was talking about the supposed secret gay cabal in the Vatican.

I'm not a catholic by any stretch of imagination, but this Pope seems to be a lot better than the last one. Now, if only he'd condone the use of prophylactics the world would be a much better place.

[DesDownunder]

Let's go straight to the current issue. How much, if at all, will this Pope condemn the recent Russian anti-gay legislation?

This is of paramount importance, given the return to Christianity in Russia bringing with it condemnation and public harassment of LGBTQ people.

[Graeme]

My understanding is that the major Christian denomination in Russia is the Russian Orthodox church. I doubt the Pope will have a lot of sway with that denomination. Indeed, it could even be argued that for the Pope to criticise the RO church would be counterproductive.

However, I'm much more interesting in actions than words. Let's see what is done, not what is said.

[The Pecman]

I think this is a step in the right direction. I don't think they're ready to announce they'll condone gay priests or gay marriage, but hey, it's a start. At least they're not condemning us to hell (like the Russian president).

[DesDownunder]

I agree it is Russian Orthodox. The Pope's statement however flies in their face and that's got to count for an interesting confrontation even if it is just in the minds of those atheists who see anything that counters religion as productive.