The usual unusual suspects are over the moon that Pope Francis made comments about “gays” (I detest the twisting of that once fine word) where else but on an airplane. Other suspects are shredding their garments.
Frankly, this is much ado about very little in comparison with the bizarre off-the-cuff comments from that recent pastoral congress in Rome.
And in making this comment about “gays”, Pope Francis knocked the press off what really mattered in Armenia: the issue of genocide.
What did the Pope say that has everyone in a tizzy… this time? The full text is HERE.
Let’s review.
Cindy Wooden, CNS: Holiness, within the past few days Cardinal Marx, the German, speaking at a large conference in Dublin which is very important on the Church in the modern world, [I would respond that none of the entities she mentioned are important for the Church in the modern world, but I digress.] said that the Catholic Church must ask forgiveness to the gay community for having marginalized these people. In the days following the shooting in Orlando, many have said[many wrong people may have said] that the Christian community had something to do with this hate toward these people. What do you think? [And we’re OFF!…]
Pope Francis: I will repeat what I said on my first trip. I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally. [Actually, they must be discriminated against when it comes to admission seminary. Right? There’s just discrimination and there’s unjust.] One can condemn, but not for theological reasons, but for reasons of political behavior…Certain manifestations are a bit too offensive for others, no? [Ummm…] … But these are things that have nothing to do with the problem. The problem is a person that has a condition, [Italian: “quella condizione”, which isn’t exactly felicitous if you have “that condition”. Yes, in Italian that sounds about like what it is in English.] that has good will and who seeks God, who are we to judge? And we must accompany them well…this is what the catechism says, a clear catechism. Then there are traditions in some countries, in some cultures that have a different mentality on this problem. [Yah… like the “cultures” and “countries” where homosexuals are killed… which is what Orlando was about.] I think that the Church must not only ask forgiveness – like that “Marxist Cardinal” said (laughs) [Jokes are funny because they contain some truth. But here it comes…] – must not only ask forgiveness to the gay person who is offended. But she must ask forgiveness to the poor too, to women who are exploited, to children who are exploited for labor. [So, “gays” are just one group among many!] She must ask forgiveness for having blessed so many weapons. [I’m pretty sure we are better off for having blessed weapons before the Battle of Lepanto.] The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times – when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners![YES!] – Christians must ask forgiveness for having not accompanied so many choices, so many families…I remember from my childhood the culture in Buenos Aires, the closed Catholic culture. I go over there, eh! A divorced family couldn’t enter the house, and I’m speaking of 80 years ago. The culture has changed, thanks be to God. Christians must ask forgiveness for many things, not just these. Forgiveness, not just apologies. Forgive, Lord. It’s a word that many times we forget. Now I’m a pastor and I’m giving a sermon. No, this is true, many times. Many times … but the priest who is a master and not a father, the priest who beats and not the priest who embraces, forgives and consoles. But there are many. [?!? There are?] There are many hospital chaplains, prison chaplains, many saints. But these ones aren’t seen. Because holiness is modest, it’s hidden. Instead it’s a little bit of blatant shamelessness, it’s blatant and you see so many organizations of good people and people who aren’t as good and people who … because you give a purse that’s a little big and look at you from the other side like the international powers with three genocides. We Christians – priests, bishops – we have done this. [I lost track there for a bit… what have we done? “look at you from the other side like the international powers with three genocides”? Is that it?] But also we Christians have Teresa of Calcutta and many Teresa of Calcuttas. We have many servants in Africa, many laity, many holy marriages. The wheat and the weeds. And so Jesus says that the Kingdom … we must not be scandalized for being like this. We must pray so that the Lord makes these weeds end and there is more grain. But this is the life of the Church. We can’t put limits. All of us are saints, because all of us have the Holy Spirit. But we are all sinners, me first of all! Alright. I don’t know if I have replied.
I had a hard time following that. Thus, I don’t blame most newsies for focusing on the “sexy” comment about apologizing to “gays” (I detest that term).
But the Pope also referred back to the Church’s catechism, indeed the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He didn’t even suggest that any change in the Church’s teaching was in order, as if an airplane presser were the place to do that.
Here’s the video from Ed Pentin:
What does the CCC say?
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. [It’s “psychological”.]
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. [But it is a small minority.] This inclination, which is objectively disordered, [The inclination is “objectively disordered”, that is, “it inclines a person toward something that is objective not meant for a person by its nature”] constitutes for most of them a trial. [Probably an understatement.]They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. [Don’t bully them, beat them up, harass them, etc. But that doesn’t mean that “gays” (I detest that term) get a pass on everything just because they have “quella condizione”.] These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives [ALL people are!] and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. [ALL people are, within the sphere of their vocation.] By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, [Many same-sex relationships are friendships that have gone wrong.] by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
2360 Sexuality is ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman. [NOT same-sex acts.] In marriage the physical intimacy of the spouses becomes a sign and pledge of spiritual communion. Marriage bonds between baptized persons are sanctified by the sacrament.
So, let’s not be mean to “gays”. That’s also what the CDF wrote. Right?
But the Pope also spoke about other things during this presser!
He also said that, although Luther intended reform, which wasn’t wrong, “maybe some of his methods were not right.” And that the church in the 16thc “was not exactly a model to imitate.” He used the word “genocide” for the massacre of Armenians in the early 20th c. Regarding the “two Popes at once” lunacy that has been floating around, he told Elisbetta Piqué of La Nacion, that Benedict XVI can no longer be considered to be exercising papal ministry. “There is only one pope.” On Brexit he was guarded, but didn’t seem pleased with the result. And with a measure of anger he slammed the door on deaconettes.
But, by all means, focus on the “gay” thing if that makes your socks roll up and down.
I’ve already state my position on question of whether Popes should give interviews.
Another question that one could rehash, as it has been every since the Millennium, is “Should the Church apologize to anyone?”
UPDATE:
The whole thing. The Orlando question is at about 45:00.
