Responses to Pope Francis’ support for civil unions that recognize same-gender couples have continued to be posted online through media interviews, social media posts, and statements.
The Vatican’s report on ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s pattern of abuse and the clerical culture that allowed it has renewed discussion on the legacy of Pope John Paul II and, more specifically, on his canonization as a saint. One Catholic has raised LGBTQ-related concerns, too, among the others.
Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a time set aside to mourn the deaths and honor the lives of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people who died of violence.
Meeting virtually this week, the U.S. bishops reaffirmed that the nation’s episcopal conference remains deeply conservative. In concluding remarks, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) head took aim at President-elect Joe Biden in what one journalist has suggested might become a “showdown” between church leaders and the new administration, in part because of LGBTQ equality.
There is one more item to add to the list of President-elect Joe Biden’s pro-equality record: his Mass attendance at an LGBTQ-friendly parish.
Journalist and papal biographer Austin Ivereigh has offered his opinion about how to interpret Pope Francis’ remarks supportive of same-gender civil unions, namely that the pope has once again refrained from judging and left the faithful to discern how to proceed.
In Malta, the head of a group for Catholic parents of LGBTQ children has written an op-ed just days after a priest wrote an anti-gay piece that attracted intense criticism.
A theologian has suggested that after Pope Francis endorsed civil unions, the church cannot deny any longer blessings to same-gender couples. Meanwhile, some bishops, episcopal conferences, and priests continue taking a more negative approach.
Commentaries on Pope Francis’ remarks last month that reiterated his support for same-gender civil unions have continued to be published. Today’s post features a handful of them with links provided for further reading.
A U.S. archbishop has responded to the pope’s support for civil unions recognizing same-gender couples in a more positive way, suggesting Francis’ approach begins with the human person, not church teaching. But not all church leaders have responded similarly.