Pope Francis’ “apology” to gays: CCC!

Sul rispetto verso gli omosessuali – sul quale viene sollecitato a partire da una recente affermazione del cardinale Marx – Francesco ribadisce che nessuno può ergersi a giudice di queste persone e ricorda il Catechismo che invita ad accompagnarne il cammino verso Dio. Quindi soggiunge:

“Io credo che la Chiesa non solo debba chiedere scusa – come ha detto quel cardinale ‘marxista’… (ride) – a questa persona che è gay, che ha offeso, ma deve chiedere scusa ai poveri anche, alle donne e ai bambini sfruttati nel lavoro; deve chiedere scusa di aver benedetto tante armi. La Chiesa deve chiedere scusa di non essersi comportata tante, tante volte – e quando dico ‘Chiesa’ intendo i cristiani: la Chiesa è santa, i peccatori siamo noi – i cristiani devono chiedere scusa di non aver accompagnato tante scelte, tante famiglie”.

Thus: The Holy Father said that some individuals in the Church have offended gays. He said nothing more than this. It’s ambiguous. If we skip for a moment the mention of the Catechism, his comment could mean accompanying gays in their active sex lives and saying that sin isn’t sin if it’s accompanied and surely not sin if not accompanied because of not being, after all, accompanied. Just to say it, one can be unjustly offensive to gays, such as by telling them that they are hopelessly on their way to hell as they are forever excluded from repentance and forgiveness and heaven, and in doing that one is also offensive to our Lord who hung on the cross also for their conversion and offensive to our Blessed Mother who stood under the cross also for their conversion. But, having said that, I don’t know of anyone who says that all gays will always go to hell because our Lord purposely hardens their hearts so that it is impossible for them to convert. Who are these idiots? Where are they? At any rate, I received this comment on another post which I’m putting here:

Fr. Byers, I am praying for Pope Francis during the time you recommend [[An Hour for Pope Francis – Help!]]. While I will always respect the office of Peter, I cannot in all good conscience say that I love Pope Francis… Let alone to pieces. I am stunned by his latest… That the Catholic Church has to apologize to gays. This pope apparently does not think sin is relevant. In other words Our Lord whom we do love to pieces had no need to suffer such horrendous torture and death. And He made His mother suffer for nothing. I can and do pray for this pope but cannot love him.

From what I gather from this comment, the writer does love Pope Francis to pieces as our Lord commanded, but disagrees with what he says and really wants him to see the the light of truth. I especially like the comment: “And He made His mother suffer for nothing.” Yes, that would be the correct analysis if the Pope was correct about and did intend to insist upon an extremely low opinion of fallen human nature, so low that it seems there is pretty much zero moral capacity, even with grace. This low opinion of fallen human nature even aided by grace would seem to spit in our Lord’s face.

But that’s not what Pope Francis said. He mentioned the Catechism. To wit:

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,¹⁴¹ tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”¹⁴² They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Just to say, this mention of the Catechism and its statement about homosexual acts that “under no circumstances can they be approved” is very wonderful indeed. I rejoice.

I also rejoice that the Holy Father chose to say that the level of martyrdom in Armenia rose to the level of genocide. Had he not done so, I would certainly have reminded him of Esther’s story. But he did acknowledge that martyrdom and suffering genocide can certainly coincide with each other.

So, let us continue: An Hour for Pope Francis – Help!