[IMG]http://prod.static9.net.au/~/media/images/2014/march/04/0403_pope_s.ashx?mw=640&mh=360&bg=black[/IMG]
[QUOTE]Pope Francis is reportedly considering changing the Catholic Church's centuries-old stance on homosexuality, suggesting he could give his blessing to gay civil unions.
The charismatic leader also said he was open to the idea of a greater role for women in the Church but restated that gay marriage was unacceptable in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.
"Secular states want to justify civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, pushed by the demand to regulate economic aspects between persons, such as ensuring health care," he said.
"It is about pacts of cohabiting of various natures, of which I wouldn’t know how to list the different ways.
"One needs to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety."
The news has been welcomed by the gay community around the world as well as in Australia with the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convener Corey Irlam saying he welcomes the comments and hopes they are not retracted by Vatican spokespeople.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2014/03/06/12/14/pope-may-be-open-to-gay-civil-unions[/url]
This Pope knows what his shit is about.
this pope is dope
and some folks still refuse to believe this guy is probably the best pope one could realistically hope for.
Man, the Vatican's usual technique of "get an old guy so that he won't do much or try to change anything to be the pope" really backfired this time.
I don't expect Christians to be open to the idea of a homosexual Christian marriage. Most of the ones I know aren't. But they do believe civil unions should share the same legal benefits as a marriage, and be applicable to gay couples. I think that's an acceptable compromise.
[QUOTE=Laferio;44143865]this pope is dope[/QUOTE]
He gives us hope.
Frankie-P, he da man.
[QUOTE=Grenadiac;44143926]I don't expect Christians to be open to the idea of a homosexual Christian marriage. Most of the ones I know aren't. But they do believe civil unions should share the same legal benefits as a marriage, and be applicable to gay couples. I think that's an acceptable compromise.[/QUOTE]
Why not just call it marriage anyway? Makes things simpler. As a Christian myself I don't understand why we have to own the term 'marriage'.
[quote]The charismatic leader also said he was open to the idea of a greater role for women in the Church [b]but restated that gay marriage was unacceptable[/b] in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.
"Secular states want to justify civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, pushed by the demand to regulate economic aspects between persons, such as ensuring health care," he said.[/quote]
So he's against gay marriage but for civil unions?
[QUOTE=KillerJaguar;44144032]So he's against gay marriage but for civil unions?[/QUOTE]
The church isn't going to come out in favour of gay marriage ever since they see marriage as a religious institution rather than a civil one. Supporting civil unions is the best that can happen really
Yeah, it's best to read the entire article before jumping onto this and getting excited.
Pope Francis's stance on this reflects the stance of most average level-minded Catholics nowadays: Civil unions between gays are "okay". We're still not keen on actually calling it [U]marriage[/U], though. But that's a discussion for another time. That's the closest you're going to get, but let's be honest, it's a really big step.
That aside, this sort of press really helps lay people to be more accepting of the Catholic Church and its role in the world, so I'm for it.
[QUOTE=KillerJaguar;44144032]So he's against gay marriage but for civil unions?[/QUOTE]
What is it you want the Pope to do? Renounce Christianity?
Be happy that the most influential man in the realm of Christendom is not out to kill/denounce/say or do any number of nasty things to the gay community, and is actively trying to make the world better for them.
By Catholic definition, marriage is between a man and a woman, which is why they'll never allow it. However in legal terms it should allow gays to be legally married, and fall under the category of a married couple. It goes against Catholic belief to marry a gay couple under their institution, which will never change, plus why would any gay couple want to be married by a religion that tells them their sexuality is wrong?
[QUOTE=Tasm;44144249]By Catholic definition, marriage is between a man and a woman, which is why they'll never allow it. However in legal terms it should allow gays to be legally married, and fall under the category of a married couple. It goes against Catholic belief to marry a gay couple under their institution, which will never change, plus why would any gay couple want to be married by a religion that tells them their sexuality is wrong?[/QUOTE]
To be fair, it tells straight people their sexuality is wrong as well.
Has the Catholic Church ever really defined a position on civil unions at all? I know they're recognized as a compromise, but I've never actually put any thought into what the Church hierarchy thinks about them.
news like this makes me happy :downs:
Why don't we just officially call all marriages civil unions? Seems like the most equal way to do it without offending religious people who don't want the government to call same sex unions marriage, and doesn't make it like "men and women can have real marriage, but gays just get civil unions".
Pope Francis has been saying stuff that has always been Catholic policy and everyone is lapping it up like he's Jesus. Sure he's good at pushing the more liberal interpretation of Christianity on those who may not have heard it, in areas outside of the western world and I respect that he is spreading this more tolerant interpretation but it isn't new, Pope John Paul II was very similar in his views.
[QUOTE=wooletang;44144114]What is it you want the Pope to do? Renounce Christianity?
Be happy that the most influential man in the realm of Christendom is not out to kill/denounce/say or do any number of nasty things to the gay community, and is actively trying to make the world better for them.[/QUOTE]
I wasn't asking for anything. I was just asking a question because I was unclear about his stance.
[QUOTE=cis.joshb;44144612]Why don't we just officially call all marriages civil unions? Seems like the most equal way to do it without offending religious people who don't want the government to call same sex unions marriage, and doesn't make it like "men and women can have real marriage, but gays just get civil unions".[/QUOTE]
In legal terms all marriages should be civil unions imo, for equality. With marriage just being an old religious practice that they can call it on an individual basis.
[QUOTE=LunchboxOfDoom;44143932]He gives us hope.[/QUOTE]
same shit? nope.
pope francis confirmed gay
But FP; does the pope beat tropsical in awesomeness for this?
This is one hell of a step in the right direction
Funny thing is that the Catholic Church performed gay marriages in the middle ages...
[QUOTE=ECrownofFire;44145061]Funny thing is that the Catholic Church performed gay marriages in the middle ages...[/QUOTE]
you're not really correct, but they did had "brother-making", which some assume it was a way of having same-sex marriage by another name.
i wouldn't be surprised if some actual gay couples did took advantage of it though.
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelphopoiesis[/url]
it had the name of Ordo ad fratres faciendum ("Order for the making of brothers") on the catholic church
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_same-sex_unions[/url]
What a lefty
god damn communist
Brilliant and integral man.
I am really surprised he still haven't been assassinated
[editline]6th March 2014[/editline]
Still, good for him. Good for everyone.
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