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Pope Francis embraces civil unions for gay couples in a massive break from Catholic Church history

a civil union is not a religious act, therefore i do not see what meaning the popes approval of it has over anything.

if he really believes that homosexual people have the same rights to a family that heterosexual people do, then he should reform christian marriage to be available to homosexual people.

or am i missing something?
 
Positive step... Gay people should have all equal rights, some religious beliefs of what god 'allegedly' thinks should be thrown into the garbage bin...
 
Most Catholics oppose this and I've heard some priests say that the Pope is not infallible.
 
Lurker_Ind said:
Catholics are making great strides. Kudos to them.
Click to expand...

Romali_rotti said:
Positive step... Gay people should have all equal rights, some religious beliefs of what god 'allegedly' thinks should be thrown into the garbage bin...
Click to expand...

Actually if you understand his statement, you realize he's only supporting civil unions which are like a secular marriage contract while he hasn't sanctioned gay marriages by the church so this is a way out for the Catholic church to not officiate same sex marriages and "validate" them but instead to give gay catholics the option of getting a civil union which has no religous significance. So is it really progressive? I don't think so.
 
He says same sex people should not be thrown out of family. Did he say that same sex couple's marriage is valid?
 
Giannis said:
So is it really progressive? I don't think so.
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It is progressive. Allowing gay couple a catholic marriage (or a marriage in any religion) will be regressive, as such marriages are against the codes our society and family runs on.

However, gay couples have every right to be together and call themselves husband-husband or wife-wife. They just should not try to modify religion to suit their own needs.
 
While Muslims are throwing out ahmedis, Christians are in a path towards compassion for homosexual. How contrasting the two religion has become though from the same root.
 
Time for Muslims to learn from the Catholics and normalize Homosexuality in their societies to join the " Club of Progressives" .
 
Itachi said:
While Muslims are throwing out ahmedis, Christians are in a path towards compassion for homosexual. How contrasting the two religion has become though from the same root.
Click to expand...

???

You do realize not all Christians are Catholics and in fact most English-speaking countries, Catholic is not the same as Christian which refers to Protestantism. Protestants are still staunchly against samesex marriage and even homosexuality, people like Mike Pence are the norm in the Protestant world. Also Pope Francis didn't even sanction marriage for homosexuals, instead he supported civil unions so Gay Catholics still wouldn't have a marriage officiated by the Church, so how exactly is this ground breaking, moreover a lot of Catholics in America don't agree with the current Popes LGBT-friendly policy.

As for Ahmadis, you have a very poor understanding of Abrahamic religions, what does a private university in Pakistan cancelling a speaking event for an Ahmadi academic have to do with Islam or the Muslim world, you literally can't attribute every action to 1.8 billion Muslims? Also you're acting like the Pope considers Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses as christians when he doesn't? LOL, I swear hindus have no understanding of how abhramic religions work.
 
According to the article, he isn't really supportive of gay marriages yet so still some way to go...but anyway this is progress coming from the Pope himself, acknowledging the rights of homosexuals.
 
Giannis said:
???

You do realize not all Christians are Catholics and in fact most English-speaking countries, Catholic is not the same as Christian which refers to Protestantism. Protestants are still staunchly against samesex marriage and even homosexuality, people like Mike Pence are the norm in the Protestant world. Also Pope Francis didn't even sanction marriage for homosexuals, instead he supported civil unions so Gay Catholics still wouldn't have a marriage officiated by the Church, so how exactly is this ground breaking, moreover a lot of Catholics in America don't agree with the current Popes LGBT-friendly policy.

As for Ahmadis, you have a very poor understanding of Abrahamic religions, what does a private university in Pakistan cancelling a speaking event for an Ahmadi academic have to do with Islam or the Muslim world, you literally can't attribute every action to 1.8 billion Muslims? Also you're acting like the Pope considers Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses as christians when he doesn't? LOL, I swear hindus have no understanding of how abhramic religions work.
Click to expand...

In fact, Christianity began as a Judaic sect in the first century CE. Early branches include Christianity the Eastern Orthodox Church and Coptic Church of Alexandria. Roman Catholicism began around 300 CE. Protestantism broke with Rome in the sixteenth century. The reactionary American fundamentalist movement is not typical of Protestantism.

In some ways Protestantism is the more liberal branch of the faith - the Church of England has ordained women as priests since the early nineties, for example, and plenty of Protestant hardliners converted to Catholicism in response.
 
Same sex marriage has one benefit only - tax equality. This is what is meant by equal rights.

Before same sex marriages; a spouse in a hetrosexual marriage is entitiled to a number of tax benefits, including inheritence, upon death of spouse. Same right were not extended to homosexual couples.

Same sex marriage is a tax benefit. Don't be fooled if you believe Christianity is open and accepting of homosexuality. It's not. The Bible is the only religious book that states Homosexuality is an abomination.
 
This itachi guy even breaks up Islam and Ahmedis on a thread about Christians and gays lol
 
Itachi said:
While Muslims are throwing out ahmedis, Christians are in a path towards compassion for homosexual. How contrasting the two religion has become though from the same root.
Click to expand...

Muslims arent prohibited to be compassionate towards people who have feelings of homosexuality. Its just that we want them to control these urges because we believe it is unnatural and prohibited by God. That in no way means that we should hate or discriminate against a person if he feels a particular way.
 

Pope apologises over reported homophobic slur​

Pope Francis has apologised following reports that he used extremely derogatory language towards gay men.
A statement from the Vatican said the Pope did not mean to offend anyone and apologised to those who were "hurt by the use of a word".

At the Italian Bishops' Conference, the pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur.

This meeting was in private, but has been widely reported.

“Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops... behind closed doors,” the statement quoted the director of the Holy See - the Catholic Church's governing body - Matteo Bruni, as saying.

The Pope’s reported comments were first conveyed to the Italian tabloid website Dagospia, and were soon confirmed by other Italian news agencies.

There has been shock at the reported language, particularly as Pope Francis has often talked publicly of being respectful towards gay people.

Mr Bruni said: “As he [the Pope] has stated on more than one occasion, ‘In the Church there is room for everyone, everyone! Nobody is useless or superfluous, there is room for everyone, just the way we are.’”

Progressive supporters of the Pope have long argued that while little has tangibly changed in terms of gay rights in Catholicism, he has changed the tone of the Church’s attitude.

When asked about gay people early in his papacy, he hit the headlines by responding, “Who am I to judge?”

He recently created consternation among Catholic traditionalists by saying priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in some circumstances and has frequently talked of gay people being welcome in the Church.

Spanish-speaking defenders of the Pope point out that he sometimes makes mistakes in Italian colloquialisms, and suggest that he did not appreciate the level of offence he might have caused, even though he did grow up in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina.

“The Pope never meant to offend or to use homophobic language, and apologises to everyone who felt offended [or] hurt by the use of a word,” Mr Buni added.

Source: BBC
 
Pope told by student to stop using anti-LGBTQ language

Pope Francis has been told by a Filipino Catholic university student to "stop using offensive language" against LGBTQ people.

Slurs cause "immense pain", Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivero said during an online video panel with other Catholic university students and the pope.

His comments come after reports that the Pope used extremely offensive language against gay men during a closed-door meeting last month with bishops.

He later apologised to those who were "hurt" and the Vatican said he did not mean to offend anyone.

The Pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur.

This has shocked many, as the Pope has often talked publicly of being respectful towards gay people.

He recently created consternation among Catholic traditionalists by saying priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in some circumstances and has frequently talked of gay people being welcome in the Church.

The forum, which was broadcast live on social media on Thursday, had the theme "Building Bridges" in a region of diverse religions and ethnicities. It brought together Catholic university students from across different countries.

The student from the Ateneo de Manila University told the Pope that he has been "outcasted and bullied due to my bisexuality, my gayness, my identity and being the son of a single parent".

He then called on him to: “Stop using offensive language against the LGBTQIA+ community."

Mr Rivera, who wore a rainbow-coloured sash over his traditional Filipino garment, also asked the Pope to "allow divorce in the Philippines".

Aside from the Vatican, the Philippines is the only country in the world where divorce is illegal. This is due to a strong lobby against it by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope waited for all three students in Mr Rivera's group to speak before giving his replies.

He did not address Mr Rivera's concerns specifically but he said through a translator that he was advising Mr Rivera to differentiate true love from false love.

"Always pick true love," he said.

The Pope also told the group that "women are the best people" even if society views them as second to men.

He recalled a conversation with a female European leader, who he said told him that "maternal ability" gives her the edge over men.

"Many women have brought children on their own... A widower can hardly go on their own. A woman, alone, can certainly grow her family. This is the greatness of women."

BBC
 
Pope to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis

Pope Francis will be admitted to hospital in Rome to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis, the Vatican has said.

The 88-year-old will arrive at the Gemelli hospital after his morning audiences on Friday, a short statement said.

The Pope has had bronchitis symptoms for several days and has delegated officials to read his prepared speeches at recent events.

"This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests and to continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis," the statement said.

On Wednesday, the Pope asked a priest to read part of his speech because of his difficulties with the illness.

"Let me ask the priest to continue to read, because I cannot yet, with my bronchitis. I hope that next time I can," the 88-year-old said shortly after starting the speech.

He had also asked aides to read on his behalf at a mass on Sunday and at last Wednesday's general audience.

He held meetings at his Vatican residence last week in an attempt to rest and recover.

The Pope was treated for bronchitis at the same hospital in March 2023, spending three nights there.

In December the same year, he was forced to cancel his trip to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit because of another bout of illness.

The Argentine pontiff has spent nearly 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

He has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

BBC
 

Pope remains in 'critical' condition after 'respiratory crisis'​

Pope Francis's condition continues to be "critical" after suffering a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" earlier on Saturday, the Vatican has said.

The pontiff is "more unwell than yesterday" and had received blood transfusions, the statement said.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old was alert and in his armchair, but required a "high flow" of oxygen and his prognosis "remains guarded".

The Pope is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

The blood transfusions were deemed necessary due to a low platelet count, associated with anaemia, the Vatican said.

"The Holy Father's condition remains critical," a statement said. "The Pope is not out of danger."

"The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair even if he was suffering more than yesterday," the statement added.

The Pope has asked for openness about his health, so the Vatican has begun releasing daily statements. The tone, and length, of the announcements has varied, sometimes leaving Pope-watchers to attempt to read between the lines.

But this is by far the starkest assessment yet and it is unusually detailed. It declines to give any prognosis.

It comes just a day after doctors treating the Pope said for the first time that he was responding to medication, although they were clear that his condition was complex. They said on Friday that the slightest change of circumstance would upset what was called a "delicate balance".

"He is the Pope," as one of them put it. "But he is also a man."

The Pope was first admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing difficulties breathing for several days.

He is especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy - an inflammation around the lungs - as an adult and having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

During his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic church, the Argentine has been hospitalised several times including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis.

The latest news will worry Catholics worldwide, who are following news of the Pope's condition closely.

It is a busy Jubilee year for the Catholic Church with huge numbers of visitors expected in Rome and a major schedule of events for the Pope. He is not known for enjoying being inactive. Even in hospital, his doctors say he went to pray in the chapel this week and had been reading in his chair.

But even before the latest setback, the Vatican had said he would not appear in public to lead prayer with pilgrims on Sunday, meaning he will miss the event for the second week in a row.

Well-wishers have been leaving candles, flowers and letters for the Pope outside Rome's Gemelli hospital all week. There was no change outside St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday evening, however, with no crowd gathering.

But people passing through the square said they were following the news.

"We feel very close to the Pope, here in Rome," one Italian man told the BBC. "We saw the latest, and we are worried."

Source: BBC
 

Pope asks for prayers in message from hospital​

Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pray for him, as he continues to receive treatment in hospital for double pneumonia.

The pontiff was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second Sunday running.

But in a message written over the last few days, he said he was "confidently continuing" his hospitalisation at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and "carrying on with the necessary treatment".

The message comes after the Vatican revealed on Saturday that the 88-year-old's condition continues to be "critical".

In his message, released on Sunday, the Pope thanked the doctors and health workers at the hospital, and well-wishers who sent in messages.

"In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children," he wrote.

"Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me."

Well-wishers have continued to pray outside the hospital.

Dozens of people have been seen lighting candles and leaving them at the foot of a nearby statue of the late Pope John Paul II.

The 88-year-old was first admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing difficulties breathing for several days.

He is especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy - an inflammation around the lungs - as an adult and having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

During his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic church, the Argentine has been admitted to hospital several times, including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis.

www.bbc.com

Pope Francis asks for prayers in message from hospital

The pontiff is receiving hospital treatment as the Vatican warns his condition is still critical.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
ECB apologises for Pope Francis Ashes post joke

The England and Wales Cricket Board has apologised for a social media post joking that Pope Francis "loves the Ashes".

A message on the X account of the 88-year-old Pope, who has been in hospital since February, was posted to mark Ash Wednesday.

In response, the England Cricket account wrote: "Even @Pontifex loves The Ashes". The post has since been deleted.

An ECB spokesperson said: "This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly deleted. We apologise for any offence."

On Wednesday, the account of Pope Francis posted: "The Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good.

"It puts us in our place, smooths out the rough edges of our narcissism, brings us back to reality, and makes us more humble and open to one another. None of us is God; we are all on a journey."

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period in which Christians prepare for Easter.

BBC
 

Improving Pope reduces use of ventilation for oxygen, Vatican says​

VATICAN CITY, March 15 (Reuters) - Pope Francis is improving slowly as he battles double pneumonia in hospital and is reducing the use of mechanical ventilation at night to help with breathing, the Vatican said on Saturday.

"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable, confirming the progress seen in the last week," said the latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.

Francis, who is prone to lung infections, has not been seen in public since entering hospital, the longest such absence of his papacy which this week reached its 12th anniversary.

He will again miss weekly prayers with pilgrims this Sunday, for the fifth week in a row.

The Vatican said Francis was continuing with medical treatments, respiratory physiotherapy and physical therapy for his mobility. "These therapies, at present, show further, gradual improvements," said the statement.

He has been receiving oxygen in hospital including a mask at night. "High-flow oxygen therapy continues, gradually reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during nighttime hours," the statement added.

The Vatican has not given a timeframe for the pope's discharge from hospital, saying his recovery is slow.

It is publishing medical updates every few days now, compared to twice-daily updates previously.

The pope had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed. He is known to work himself to exhaustion, and has continued to work from hospital.

On Saturday, the Vatican announced that earlier in the week Francis had approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, in a sign that he intends to continue on as pope, despite his health difficulties.

Source: REUTERS
 
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