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Thread: Pope says Christians should apologize to gay people

  1. #1
    Administrator fuego's Avatar
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    Pope says Christians should apologize to gay people

    (CNN)Pope Francis said Sunday that Christians owe apologies to gays and others who have been offended or exploited by the church, remarks that some Catholics hailed as a breakthrough in the church's tone toward homosexuality.

    "I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally," Francis said at a press conference aboard the papal plane returning from Armenia.

    "The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times -- when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners!"

    As he often does during unscripted moments -- particularly papal news conferences -- the Pope spoke expansively, saying the church should seek forgiveness for a number of historical slights committed in its name.

    "I believe that the church not only should apologize to the person who is gay whom it has offended," he added, "but has to apologize to the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labor; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons."

    The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at large of America magazine, called the Pope's apology to gays and lesbians "a groundbreaking moment."

    "While St. John Paul II apologized to several groups in 2000 -- the Jewish people, indigenous peoples, immigrants and women, among them -- no pope has ever come close to apologizing to the LGBT community. And the Pope is correct of course. First, because forgiveness is an essential part of the Christian life. And second, because no group feels more marginalized in the church today than LGBT people."

    The Pope's comments came in response to a question about a German Cardinal who said the Catholic Church should apologize for being "very negative" about gays. The Pope was also asked, by the same journalist, whether Christians bear some blame for hatred toward the LGBT community, as horrifically demonstrated in the Orlando massacre at a gay night club that killed 49 people on June 12.

    Repeating the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church about respecting and not discriminating against gays, Pope Francis said that one could condemn certain behavior.

    "One can condemn, but not for theological reasons, but for reasons of political behavior...Certain manifestations are a bit too offensive for others, no?

    "But these are things that have nothing to do with the problem. The problem is a person that has a condition, that has good will and who seeks God, who are we to judge? And we must accompany them well."

    Francis first uttered that rhetorical question -- Who am I to judge gay people? -- in 2013, also during a news conference on the papal plane. His comments were hailed as a breakthrough for a church that has historically condemned homosexuality, often in harsh terms. Francis has not changed church doctrine that calls homosexual acts sinful, but he has shown a more merciful approach to people on the margins, including gays and lesbians.

    Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Catholic gay rights group, called the Pope's remarks "an immense blessing of healing."

    "No pope has said more welcoming words to LGBT people than when Pope Francis today offered his recommendation that the Church -- indeed all Christians -- should apologize for the harm religious traditions have caused to LGBT people. The pope's statement was simple, yet powerful, and it fell from his lips so easily."

    As is often the case, the Pope's press conference encompassed a number of controversial questions. Here are the Pope's answers about Brexit, former Pope Benedict XVI and why he used the word "genocide" to describe the murder of more than 1 million Armenians in the early 20th century...

    http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/world/...ays/index.html

  2. #2
    I don't think "the church" has to apologize. The church is Christ's body and corporately I don't believe it sins. Individuals sin and if an individual Christian or perhaps a local church has sinned in some way, they need to repent and make it right.

    I realize, however, when he says "church," he means the Catholic church. But if they're going to start apologizing for wrongs committed, it's going to take a very long time.

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  4. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    I don't think "the church" has to apologize. The church is Christ's body and corporately I don't believe it sins. Individuals sin and if an individual Christian or perhaps a local church has sinned in some way, they need to repent and make it right.
    Well said, Bookman.

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    Senior Member wheeze's Avatar
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    its one thing to apologize for ur hatred toward them..... i can see that but its quite another to apologize and accept their behavior which in my case ain't gonna happen....

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    Senior Member Ezekiel 33's Avatar
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    Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, a Catholic gay rights group, called the Pope's remarks "an immense blessing of healing."
    It would appear to me that these folks need to study their bibles. I don't see any room for a "gay rights group" in the scriptures.

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    Senior Member Romans828's Avatar
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    Let's start with the Pedophile Priests apologizing to all of the boys they molested.

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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Angry

    Quote Originally Posted by Romans828 View Post
    Let's start with the Pedophile Priests apologizing to all of the boys they molested.
    HELLO!

    "His comments were hailed as a breakthrough for a church that has historically condemned homosexuality, often in harsh terms.
    God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for practicing that which He calls "an abomination." I'd say that is pretty harsh. The Pope needs to be quiet and have several seats. He just gets on my nerves every time he opens his mouth. Ugh!
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    One aspect to what the Pope is talking about involves not shunning and condemning gays in such a way that they are placed outside of the reach of the gospel message. Jesus would have been around them, the Pharisees would not have. The problem is that this concept is getting mixed with a current of outright acceptance of the sin of homosexuality and then the call to repent disappears and Jesus is no longer around. From one ditch in the road and all the way over into the other one ?

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Colonel View Post
    One aspect to what the Pope is talking about involves not shunning and condemning gays in such a way that they are placed outside of the reach of the gospel message. Jesus would have been around them, the Pharisees would not have. The problem is that this concept is getting mixed with a current of outright acceptance of the sin of homosexuality and then the call to repent disappears and Jesus is no longer around. From one ditch in the road and all the way over into the other one ?
    Sadly carnal Christians cannot grasp there even is a middle where one can truly love the sinner and hate the sin much less the world. I believe this is the fundamental reason some church organizations are succumbing to apostasy...they believe they have to be in one ditch or the other and choose the most culture friendly ditch to preserve their numbers and $$$$$

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  17. #10
    * Toxic Troll - Negative Nancy Farm Truck's Avatar
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    Pope says Christians should apologize to gay people
    Further proof the pope doesn't follow God's Word... true Christians don't apologize for that which God has spoken.

    Never!

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