La Civilta Cattolica interview with Pope Francis

In an interview with La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit magazine, Pope Francis urged followers to make the Catholic Church a more merciful and welcoming place for all. He continued: “A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’”  “This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all,” he said, “not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people.”

But this isn’t the first time Pope Francis has sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church in regards to his thoughts on homosexuality.  A few months ago, he caused a stir during an inflight news conference when he was asked about gay priests. “Who am I to judge?” he replied. Then he added: “As long as they are searching for God and have good will.”

The great hope I have for Pope Francis appears to be well placed, as I have stated in previous blogs.  Read my blog on Pope Francis - Gay and Hopeful for an overview of my initial hope.  The media, Catholics and the world over have focused on his above statements on homosexuality, but the gem of the story lies hidden further in the article with La Civilta Cattolica:

I ask Pope Francis about the enormous changes occurring in society and the way human beings are reinterpreting themselves. At this point he gets up and goes to get the breviary from his desk. It is in Latin, now worn from use. He opens to the Office of Readings for Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time and reads me a passage from the Commonitorium Primum of St. Vincent of Lerins: “Even the dogma of the Christian religion must follow these laws, consolidating over the years, developing over time, deepening with age.”

The view of the church’s teaching as a monolith to defend without nuance or different understandings is wrong.  The pope comments: “St. Vincent of Lerins makes a comparison between the biological development of man and the transmission from one era to another of the deposit of faith, which grows and is strengthened with time. Here, human self-understanding changes with time and so also human consciousness deepens. Let us think of when slavery was accepted [Read my blog on Slavery and Homosexuality] or the death penalty was allowed without any problem.  So we grow in the understanding of the truth.

Exegetes and theologians help the church to mature in her own judgment. Even the other sciences and their development help the church in its growth in understanding. There are ecclesiastical rules and precepts that were once effective, but now they have lost value or meaning. The view of the church’s teaching as a monolith to defend without nuance or different understandings is wrong.

Yes, I have great hope.  Our understanding, knowledge and faith of the People of God is deepening.  As is our understanding of homosexuality.  Science is moving us forward, the American Psychological Association, a professional and scientific organization stated:

“Lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are not disorders.  Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology.  Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality.  Both have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding."

The world finds hope in his comments on homosexuality, but the real hope lies in his above statement.  Pope Francis is quietly opening the door for the Church to look upon human sexuality with fresh eyes.  He is giving the Church permission to allow the faith to deepen and develop.  This is were my hope lies. 

I have great hope that one day the Church will proudly proclaim that ALL our fearfully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God and ALL are GOOD; both gay and straight.  Until then, let us pray for Pope Francis, that the Spirit will guide the Church into a future full of hope for all.  Otherwise countless homosexual men and women will continue to suffer discrimination, prejudice and violence.  Let us pray Church!

 

Peace and all good,

Brother Sun and Sister Moon

PS:  Read the full interview with Pope Francis in La Civilta Cattolica in American Magazine.
 

Personal Reflection:

To my straight brothers and sisters, how has your views on homosexuality deepened and developed over the years?  To my gay brothers and lesbian sisters, how did you learn to embrace your sexuality as good?  Feel free to share your story in the comment spaces below.