[dsc]

“I think that is a good rule in general”

So, we are to put charity first, even if, say, it was more appropriate to put rebuking sinners first?

“and it was good that he applied it to the question about the “gay lobby”.

I disagree. His failure to specifically note the sinful nature of homosexual conduct has inevitably led to widespread assertions that “the pope says homosexual behavior is not sinful.”

Why open that door?

[annalex]

we are to put charity first, even if, say, it was more appropriate to put rebuking sinners first?

Apparently that is what the Holy Father is doing, so I am deferring to what he thinks is more appropriate.

led to widespread assertions that “the pope says homosexual behavior is not sinful.”

But it also made people realize that our God is God of love. In the end, accuracy in theology wins over theological slogans.