New Ways Ministry: Pope Francis’ Apology Welcome, Further Clarification Needed
Yesterday, news broke that Pope Francis had used an anti-gay word while meeting with the Italian bishops and discussing the question of accepting gay men to seminaries. The Vatican later issued an apology on behalf of the pope for the harm his words had caused, and Francis emphasized again that the church should be for everyone.
The following is a statement from Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s Executive Director, about the pope’s comments and subsequent apology:
MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland—New Ways Ministry welcomes Pope Francis’ apology for using a derogatory word about gay people in a conversation with Italy’s bishops. It confirms our thought that use of the slur was a careless colloquialism. His apology is a model for all Catholic leaders who continue to use language and ideas that offend LGBTQ+ people, even unknowingly.
We are disappointed, however, that the pope did not clarify specifically what he meant by banning gay men from the priesthood. Without a clarification, his words will be interpreted as a blanket ban on accepting any gay man to a seminary. We ask Pope Francis, who famously once said of gay priests, “Who am I to judge?”, to provide a clearer statement on his views about gay priests, so many of whom faithfully serve the people of God each day.
When Pope Francis’ private conversations are made public through news reports, it can be difficult to understand the full meaning of what he said. In this case, did he know that the word he used was a derogatory expression or did he think it was just a colloquial way of speaking? When expressing the opinion that gay men should not be priests, was he using the word “gay” to identify their sexual orientation or a presumption that these men are sexually active, which is a common understanding of some people, especially people from his generation.
Pope Francis has not always been clear in his remarks about LGBTQ+ people. We hope this incident will encourage him to learn more about the language he uses and be more careful because misuse can be dangerously harmful.
-30-
New Ways Ministry is a 47-year old national Catholic ministry of justice and reconciliation for LGBTQ+ Catholics and the wider church community. For more information, visit www.NewWaysMinistry.org.
Pope Francis’ words are not only a disappointment, but deeply hurt a lot of people, no matter what sexual orientation an individual may be. I keep thinking of St. Paul’s experience, when Christ tells him “why do you keep persecuting me.” Sexual orientation has nothing do with the divine calling to the ministry. The clerical church is getting in the way of women and men who are called by God to the ministry. They are aborting God’s work to renew all of creation and this has led the church to clerical aberrations that either has nothing to do with the Gospel or violate Gospel.
Pierre
Your response to Francis’ insulting comment is overly gracious. It is hard to believe he is not aware of the meaning of the word. What is even more troubling is the fear it reflects of the nebulous “gay lifestyle” he sees in seminaries. Just what does that mean? Just what type of affection is OK for aspiring priests? Sound like he is afraid of “particular friendships.” Now that is generational. A growing edge for him?
What a grave disappointment. Try as you might, you cannot unring a bell.
Oh how difficult it is to be a loving person, truthful yet wise, at all times in public as well as in behind closed doors. So often when we were children, we would be coerced to apologize for some offense, but most of the time it would be to save our own “you know what”. Being role models as leaders in the church along with persons in public roles, the same is required when there is a major backlash to something that is offensive to a person or group of persons. It’s especially hurtful when it involves others who already face an unjust sense of persecution, unjust firings from jobs, and general discrimination put downs. Wouldn’t it be nice if all men could be treated with respect for the way they were created by God. This is the challenge to be that voice of Jesus in the world and a model for how others should treat their brothers and sisters who are different in some way. Such is the challenge for all of us. Hopefully this insensitive use of speech will be a growing experience even for the Holy Father. I like others did feel disappointed. Many times we expect perfection which does not exist in Earth School. An apology is a start to the beginning of more substance behind that apology. I desire a church which is a safe refuge for all gentle men and women to enter equally with all who seek the Divine. None of us should be forced to lie about our true nature in order to be treated as equal in the church.