Pope Francis Needs to Speak Clearly on LGBT Issues

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has made his most specific and critical statement about families headed by same-gender couples by stating that children should be raised “in the complementarity of the masculinity and femininity of a father and a mother.”

The Advocate’s Michael O’Loughlin reported that the remarks were made in the context of an address to a delegation from the International Catholic Child Bureau.  The pope’s comments, in context, were:

“it is necessary to emphasize the right of children to grow up within a family, with a father and a mother able to create a suitable environment for their development and emotional maturity. Continuing to mature in the relationship, in the complementarity of the masculinity and femininity of a father and a mother, and thus preparing the way for emotional maturity.”

Pope Francis further stated:

“Working for human rights presupposes keeping anthropological formation alive, being well-prepared regarding the reality of the human person, and knowing how to respond to the problems and challenges posed by contemporary cultures and mentalities that are spread by the mass media. . . .

“At times it is necessary to flee; at times it is necessary to stop to protect oneself; and at times one must fight. But always with tenderness.”

For those who have been lifted up by the pope’s more positive remarks on LGBT issues, these new words will come as a shock.  Though the pontiff has been developing a reputation as being progressive, many have warned all along that his thinking on women and gender have needed development.  Since the heart of these remarks focus on the outdated concept of “gender complementarity,” it seems reasonable to attribute these remarks, in part, to this blind spot of his.

Regardless of its origin in the pope’s thinking, this remark shows that Francis still needs to learn a lot about LGBT people and their families.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that he seems open to learning more about sexuality and gender issues, witnessed in his call for lay people to provide their opinions on marriage and family issues in anticipation of the October 2014 synod on those topics.

This new statement seems to be stated in the typical style that Pope Francis has used over the past year: while he expresses support for heterosexual marriage and family structures, he definitely avoids any direct attacks against LGBT people and relationships.  It sometimes seemed that his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, went out of his way to criticize and condemn LGBT issues.  That is not Pope Francis’ style.  In a recent general audience he spoke about the beauty of heterosexual marriage, but did not use the praise of that institution as an occasion to explicitly disparage same-gender relationships.  Here’s what he said at the Vatican on April 2nd, according to Religion News Service:

“When a man and a woman celebrate the sacrament of marriage, God is reflected in them. . . .

“As ‘one flesh’, they become living icons of God’s love in our world, building up the Church in unity and fidelity. The image of God is the married couple — not just the man, not just the woman, but both.”

He appears to be using the same strategy in the new example of praising families about headed by heterosexual couples.  We don’t see him using accusations that children raised by same-gender couples experience “violence,” as Benedict often said.   Instead, Francis remains silent on the topic.

While silence is not ideal, it is a welcome relief, and a good first step.  But it is also not enough.  While Francis has made some exciting and encouraging statements, some of them have been ambiguous, allowing some to develop strange interpretations, and sometimes forcing people to guess at what he meant.

Pope Francis could clear this up by making a clear, strongly positive statement on LGBT issues which will clear up any doubt about where he stands on these matters.  Of course, we would most like him to speak clearly and forcefully against anti-LGBT laws that are being enacted around the globe.  Or he could support employment rights for LGBT people working in Catholic institutions.  A statement of support to LGBT youth who experience bullying and other forms of violence would also be helpful.  (What kind of statement would you want the pope to make?  Write your thoughts in a “Comment” to this post.)

If he needs any help formulating such statements, we are glad to help him. He can just give us a phone call–something that we know he likes to do!

–Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry

0 replies
  1. Anton
    Anton says:

    This comment by Pope Francis is more than strange. For centuries boys AND girls were taken from families and raised in so-called minor seminaries and convent schools where they did NOT have the benefit of father and mother and this was considered legitimate and even highly recommended. Sometimes these children were even taken to other countries, far away from their parents and families. And now it’s deemed so necessary that both genders are part of the the experience of being reared? And should single-parent families due to death or other reasons be penalized? Facing reality is more important than insisting on an outmoded principle. In some cultures both parents are also not seen as necessary in child-rearing.

    Reply
  2. Alecia Moss
    Alecia Moss says:

    The Pope could speak to the most important aspects of families with loving adults in parenting roles of children as being love, protection, guidance and nurturing of faith and goals. He could speak of universal human needs.

    Reply
  3. Friends
    Friends says:

    Pope Francis reads so many public statements at his open audiences, that he surely must have a few trusted assistants writing some of his material. He couldn’t possibly find the time to write all of it himself, while fulfilling his other duties — and English (of course) is also not his primary language. So I’m inclined to wonder if one of his script providers slipped in a few unfortunate references which, while they may be doctrinal “boiler plate”, do not necessarily reflect Francis’ own deep intentions of healing, embracing and welcoming all those who follow the path and teachings of Jesus. I’m inclined to view this as a choice of words with perhaps unintended and unfortunate and unpastoral consequences. However, if he starts hammering such gender-biased assertions on a regular basis, I would become more than a bit concerned.

    Reply
  4. Danny
    Danny says:

    I think it’s far to early to expect the Pope to make any definite statements regarding LGBT people. Let us be patient and see how his pontificate develops. He has not condemned, as previous Pope’s have, which is a positive move.

    Reply
  5. Katy
    Katy says:

    I would really love for the Pope to condemn the hateful language used by the Catholic hierarchy and make some positive statement to parents of LGBT children (of all ages) that we are not going to hell because we choose not to supress and deny who we love but rather share a lifetime of love and faith with a person of the same sex. I know one of my parents biggest issues initially was the fear of what the church teaches and the “clobber passages” that a LGBT person might be condemned to hell and I know they aren’t the only parents or even LGBT people that think it.

    Reply
  6. James
    James says:

    I’m glad the Pope confirmed what studies have shown and God intended that children deserve and need the love of a father and mother.

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] readers of this blog will know that we, like Manson, have often pointed out that Pope Francis needs to be clearer about what he means when he discusses outreach, […]

  2. […] Francis, while much more progressive in many ways than the previous two popes, had never really stated firmly that he supported same-gender marriage.  The furthest he had gone was to support civil unions as […]

  3. […] 2.o: “Pope Francis Needs to Speak Clearly on LGBT Issues,”  April 12, […]

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