[Gamecock]

Well said.

The issue, as i see it is this: the sinner out there, whether atheist or homosexual sees these statements and immediately feels better about their sin. “Hey! The Pope says it's OK to be an atheist! As long as i live a good life I'm OK.”

We are told that religious leaders will be judged harder, i think this is the very reason why.

[xzins]

I agree. Without clarification it leads atheists, gays, and abortionists to think he’s floating trial balloons to move the Catholic Church moral positions to the left.

Without clarification, they would be right in thinking so.

[novemberslady]

The issue, as i see it is this: the sinner out there, whether atheist or homosexual sees these statements and immediately feels better about their sin.
“Hey! The Pope says it's OK to be an atheist! As long as i live a good life I'm OK.”

I believe many don't want to listen to God, because he says what they don't want to hear.
God says no...alot.

When a leader of the church speaks this way, it's sort of a bait and switch.
Because later on a person finds out what they're doing is not okay.

This is just how I see it.

[GreyFriar]

They see how the anti-Christian MSM warps the statements to be pro (insert sin here) and thus cause internal discent for Christians, and especially give those who do not like Catholics the “ammunition” to attack the Pope and Roman Catholicism. BTW, I’m NOT a Catholic