Pope Francis On Gays: 'Who Am I To Judge? We Are Brothers'

[Vouthon]

Pope Francis On Gays: 'Who Am I To Judge? We Are Brothers'

The Huffington Post - Pope Francis has proffered an olive branch from the Catholic Church to the gay community, calling homosexuals "our brothers" and claiming he does not judge them.

In a revealing interview given to reporters on the plane back from his first international trip, the Pope joked about the "gay lobby" and insisted gay people were welcome in the Church.

“There’s a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I’ve never seen it on the Vatican ID card!” he said speaking to National Catholic Review, and other news agencies, on the plane back to Rome from Rio.

“When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them?
"They shouldn’t be marginalised. The tendency [towards homosexuality] is not the problem … they’re our brothers.”

Pope Francis On Gays: 'Who Am I To Judge? We Are Brothers'


From The Telegraph:

Pope Francis reaches out to gays

In the first press conference of his four month papacy, the 76-year-old pontiff said it was not for him to judge if someone was homosexual.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis asked, as he returned from the first overseas trip since being elected Pope in March.

He said there should be no discrimination against gays, but also reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s universal catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful, homosexual acts are.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10208802/Pope-Francis-reaches-out-to-gays.html

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

This pope has really showed that he wants to be down in the dirt, so to speak, with the "common man". So far, I've really liked what I've seen from him.

 

[Jainarayan]

So far, I've really liked what I've seen from him.

I second that.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

What a mood whiplash. Maybe the title of pope did something to him.

 

[Awoon]

Sexual activity is religions favorite subject.

 

[Vouthon]

A few weeks ago I also saw this in the news (July 10th):

Sir Elton John says Pope Francis is ‘a miracle of humility’

The Italian edition of Vanity Fair has named Pope Francis as its Man of the Year with the backing of singer Sir Elton John.

The magazine features Pope Francis on the cover of its new issue and says that Francis has done enough in his first 100 days as Pope to be put at the top of the list of world leaders who make history.

In an accompanying tribute, Sir Elton writes: “Francis is a miracle of humility in an era of vanity.”

He says he hopes that Pope Francis’s message would extend to communities who desperately need his love, including gay people and the children, women and men who live with HIV and Aids and are often alone and hidden by silence.

“[Pope Francis’s] beacon of hope will bring more light than any advancement of science, because no drug has the power of love,” Sir Elton said.

His support for the Pope will surprise some, considering his previous clashes with the Church, over issues such as gay marriage and contraception in Africa.

Sir Elton John says Pope Francis is ‘a miracle of humility’ | CatholicHerald.co.uk

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste,

This will lead to Christians labeling him as the anti-Christ.

M.V.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Namaste,

This will lead to Christians labeling him as the anti-Christ.

M.V.

I think you may be right, unfortunately. Peace makers and the compassionate and those who exhibit understanding normally are. Just look at Martin Luther King, Jr., or John F. Kennedy, both assassinated for trying to bring a good message of peace and kindness.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Namaste,

This will lead to Christians labeling him as the anti-Christ.

M.V.

If you're talking of the Protestants, a good chunk already do, when they forget about Obama.

 

[Awoon]

Namaste,

This will lead to Christians labeling him as the anti-Christ.

M.V.

Everyone needs a label. Human Beings, being Human does not compute.

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste,

I think you may be right, unfortunately. Peace makers and the compassionate and those who exhibit understanding normally are. Just look at Martin Luther King, Jr., or John F. Kennedy, both assassinated for trying to bring a good message of peace and kindness.

Yeah, the conspiracy is that JFK wanted to share power with regular folks, and the top branches of society didn't like that very much.

If you're talking of the Protestants, a good chunk already do, when they forget about Obama.

Yes. Them and pretty much non-Catholics as well. But, I wouldn't be surprised if many Catholics themselves resort to calling him the anti-Christ due to this as well.

Everyone needs a label. Human Beings, being Human does not compute.

It would be better if humans grew out of their material consciousness and ceased with the labelling.

M.V.

 

[Jainarayan]

Waiting for wailing and shrieking from WBC.

opcorn:

 

[Awoon]

Namaste,










It would be better if humans grew out of their material consciousness and ceased with the labelling.

M.V.

That would ruin the play of Being. No one would buy programs for the show, we would all get bored, become God again then have to come up with a new Matrix to play in.

 

[StarryNightshade]

So far he seems like a vast improvement over the last pope. Seriously, no Catholic I know (conservative, moderate or liberal) liked Benedict.

 

[ZooGirl02]

Before anyone goes around saying that the Catholic Church has changed its teachings I would recommend these articles:

Cardinal Dolan on pope's gay remarks: We can judge actions, not people - TODAY.com

7 things you need to know about what Pope Francis said about gays |Blogs | NCRegister.com

Did Pope Francis Say Homosexual Behavior Is OK? | CatholicVote.org

 

[Ashoka]

So far, I like this new pope. Even many evangelicals, I have seen, like him. Very interesting.

 

[ZooGirl02]

So far, I like this new pope. Even many evangelicals, I have seen, like him. Very interesting.

I really like him a lot. I think he's a great pope!

 

[Sunstone]

This pope has really showed that he wants to be down in the dirt, so to speak, with the "common man". So far, I've really liked what I've seen from him.

Popes disturb me. Even the best of them. I see no good reason for authority in spiritual matters.

 

[Me Myself]

Pope Francis On Gays: 'Who Am I To Judge? We Are Brothers'


From The Telegraph:



Pope Francis reaches out to gays - Telegraph

For some time already this has been the catholic stance.

How many times do christians have to say they condemn sin and not the sinner?

Sure, I am not saying many do not say this but feel otherwise, but as for the official stance, that has been it for long.

I dont know what is the controversy or surprise here.

 

[Freedomelf]

If you're talking of the Protestants, a good chunk already do, when they forget about Obama.

I find it hard to believe that Republicans ever forget about Obama, lol. However, I do agree with you.

It's a shame that goodness is a magnet for suffering. People don't like anyone who is too good; it shows them up. They prefer to see people with their own flaws so they can make themselves seem good in comparison. They get angry when they see true goodness, because it points out just how ugly and hateful they are. That's why they like to destroy good and tear it down, pretending all the while that it wasn't good at all.