As Daily Kos reported here last Thursday, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known to the Roman Catholic faithful as Pope Francis, has declared his support for same-sex civil unions.
Reactions for and against have been swift and impassioned.
Francis DeBernardo of Catholic LGBTQ support group New Ways Ministry hailed Bergoglio’s comments as “historic”.
“It is no overstatement to say that with this statement not only has the pope protected LGBTQ couples and families, but he also will save many LGBTQ lives.”
In contrast, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, now based in Rome, rejected the pope’s statement as “contrary to the teaching of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition”. He said, “Such declarations generate great bewilderment and cause confusion and error among Catholic faithful.”
Dismay was expressed in several countries where Catholic teaching largely underpins repressive ant-gay laws.
Bishop Arturo Bastes of the Philippines said he “had very serious doubts about the moral correctness” of the pontiff’s position.
“This is a shocking statement coming from the pope,” Bastes said, according to The Associated Press. “I am really scandalized by his defense of homosexual union, which surely leads to immoral acts.”
Further analysis
An article was published earlier today by Independent Australia titled, “Pope Francis supports same-sex unions, cardinals ask ‘Is the Pope a Catholic?’”
It assesses why this is important, outlines current Catholic teaching, ponders why Bergoglio may have made this change and reflects on further reforms the Catholic church might now consider.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/pope-francis-supports-same-sex-unions-cardinals-ask-is-the-pope-a-catholic,14447