Posted on 07/30/2013 7:03:32 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
NEW YORK New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a guest Tuesday on "CBS This Morning" to discuss the pope's impromptu news conference on a papal flight the previous day, stressed that Pope Francis "would be the first to say, 'My job isn't to change church teaching; my job is to present it as clearly as possible.' " Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was asked to comment in particular on the pope's remark: "If a person is gay, seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge? They should not be marginalized. They are our brothers."
That remark, Dolan said, reflects "a gentle, merciful, understanding, compassionate" approach to church teaching which emphasizes "that while certain acts may be wrong, we would always love and respect the person and treat the person with dignity."
He said the pope's words "may be something people find new and refreshing. I for one don't think it is, and I hate to see previous popes caricatured as not having that," he said in the interview.
In the 80-minute news conference on the plane from Rio de Janeiro to Rome returning from World Youth Day, the pope also answered questions about women in the church, divorce and his own spirituality.
Answering a question about reports of a gay lobby at the Vatican, the pope emphasized that it was important to "distinguish between a person who is gay and someone who makes a gay lobby," he said. "A gay lobby isn't good."
Pope Francis said the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains church teaching about homosexuality very well, saying, "one must not marginalize these persons, they must be integrated into society. The problem isn't this (homosexual) orientation -- we must be like brothers and sisters."
The catechism states people with homosexual tendencies "must be accepted with respect and compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
The church teaches that all sexual activity outside of the legitimate marriage of one man and one woman is sinful.
When asked if he was surprised by the pope's comments, Dolan said he was not. "What surprises me is that people are surprised," he said.
The cardinal stressed that church teaching on homosexuality has not changed.
"While we are rather cogent in our teaching we're equally compelling in the mercy, the graciousness, the respect with which we say it," he added.
Chicago Cardinal Francis George said in a statement Monday that the pope "reaffirmed the teaching of the Catholic faith and other religions that homosexual genital relations are morally wrong. The pope also reaffirmed the church's teaching that every man and woman should be accepted with love, including those with same-sex orientation."
The cardinal noted that the archdiocese of Chicago sponsors ministries for homosexuals that "make available the sacraments of the church for those who want to live chastely as followers of Christ in the church. Judgments about individual guilt are settled in the sacrament of reconciliation, according to Catholic pastoral practice," he added.
In a blog post Monday, Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light, noted that the pope's visit to Brazil "left a deep and lasting impression" on the world.
He also noted that the pope's comments on the plane, "particularly about the divorced and remarried, women and homosexuals must be read and understood through the lenses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the outreach and concern of the church for those on the fringes, and the mercy, tenderness and forgiveness of a pastor who walks among his people."
Watch Cardinal Dolan’s explanation here:
See also here:
Media Criticized for Misrepresenting What Pope Francis Said About Gays
The relevant portion of the Catechism that Francis was referring to states: “The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”
So, as Francis noted immediately after the “who am I to judge” quote, his remarks were consistent with existing Catholic doctrine. Many media reports suggested, though, that Francis’ remarks signaled a policy shift. Some even suggested that the Catholic Church might begin to allow the ordination of openly gay priests.
Another tortured explanation of what the pope really meant. Perhaps he should refrain from having a presser every day.
So the Pope said nothing of interest.
Yawn.
This new pope might need to be a little more clear. This type thig has happened a few times with him.
I am not Catholic but I don’t believe this man is helping the cause with his confusing statements. The popes might change but the Bible doesn’t.
What’s so tortured about Dolan’s explanation?
What would you have said if you were in his shoes?
Note how the Gay Activist and Gay Agenda Sympathetic Websites Write their headlines regarding Cardinal Dolan’s Clarification (implying he and the Pope are at odds):
1) Cardinal Dolan Thinks The Pope Is Just As Homophobic As Ever
Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/cardinal-dolan-thinks-the-pope-is-just-as-homophobic-as-ever-20130730/#ixzz2aaKEixya
2) CARDINAL DOLAN STEPS ON POPE’S MESSAGE OF TOLERANCE - VIDEO
http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/cardinal-dolan-steps-on-popes-message-of-tolerance-video.html
3) Timothy Dolan Minimizes Pope Francis’ Support For Gay Priests
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=15978&MediaType=1&Category=26
4) Cardinal downplays Pope’s ‘Who am I to judge gay people?’ comments
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/cardinal-downplays-popes-who-am-i-judge-gay-people-comments300713
RE: The popes might change but the Bible doesnt.
I am not Catholic either, but I understand Pope Francis’ remark is just a variation of the “Love the sinner, hate the sin” theme.
I would have appreciated an explanation from Dolan about how bringing more homosexuals into the priesthood would assist the church in dealing with past issues covering up the abuse of little boys.
(DISCLOSURE: I am NOT Roman Catholic, however I have LOTS of Catholic friends, some of whom are priests ).
This is what I know of their policy — The church will, before ordaining someone to the priesthood, try their absolute best to make sure that the candidate IS NOT GAY.
If they, for any reason, find out that the person is gay, they will disqualify him.
However, they cannot guarantee that some will slip through the cracks.
*THAT* is what I am told.
“However, they cannot guarantee that some will slip through the cracks.”
Umm...what do they mean by that?
I am Catholic and I was thinking the same thing as you. Notice the Pope only mentioned the people, he did not say we should accept the practice any more than we should accept the act of adultery or any other sin.
RE: However, they cannot guarantee that some will slip through the cracks.
Umm...what do they mean by that?
______________________________________
Well, some can lie about their orientation and be ordained can’t they?
After all, Judas was able to become one of the 12 disciples.
I think what Francis is confronting here is that the network of hardcore Satanic pedophiles in the Vatican has been able to blackmail other, non-pedophile priests with knowledge of their adult dalliances; thus enabling the perpetuaion of the pedophile coverup.
If Francis continues to move against the pedophile network, more stories of priests involved in adult affairs, both heterosexual and homosexual, may be released to the press by the blackmail network.
So Francis is laying out the groundwork for the forgiveness and continued employment of some of his allies in this latter group as he continues his fight against the pedophile network.
Doesn’t quite work when people above them are GAY and those that are molested and complain are told that the Church Will Crush Them if the info becomes public.
For example:
Cardinal O Brien
I thought that he was saying the opposite in regards to homosexual church leadership, as long as they didn’t practice it sexually.
If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge? Francis said. We shouldnt marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society.
Not good? Neither is a gay priest who is in position of leadership and authority.
Some have/are reading more into what the Pope said, than he actually said. Every homosexual is welcome in the church as long as he does not act on his homosexual nature. You can be one but don’t do it, is what that means. Priests who are straight are welcome as long as they don’t act on their straight nature. Be straight but don’t do it. It is the “doing” that is the sin, not being homosexual or straight. Don’t commit that sin and you are welcome.
As a Catholic, I’m a bit disappointed with the Pope’s choice of words. The Cinos on Facebook were celebrating his quote and pretending he condoned homosexual relationships. He shouldn’t have used the terminology of the radical homosexuals. The radical homosexuals want to destroy the Church, not celebrate the Good News. Let’s stop treating them with little kid gloves. They openly despise our Fairh yet he gives them a quote to exploit.
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