This past week, the global media erupted in frenzy after comments emerged purported to be of the Pope speaking positively about same sex marriages. They were hailed as historic, and indicative of the Church’s struggling alignment with a changing world.
In comments to feature in an upcoming documentary about him, “Francesco”, Pope Francis says in English translation: “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it.”
But here the doctrine of the Church still remains that same sex marriages are “sin”.The catholic church changes in the doctrine and teachings are communicated through an established mechanism, and can never be done through media interview.
Secondly, the reported comments attributed to the Pope are “rumours” being spread by people who either didn’t understand what the Pope actually said, or the translation was poorly done, or being deliberately spread to mislead Catholics.
“Pope Francis doesn’t in any way support marriages between men or women which are contrary to human nature. It is against the doctrine and teachings of the Catholic Church, it undermines mankind’s ability to expand and doesn’t bring happiness as desired by human nature.”
“The people who make such a choice is a sin which the Catholic Church strongly denounces. However, God doesn’t give up on sinners. What Pope Francis actually said is that it is the right of people in same sex marriages to live in their families where they are born without being tormented. The other issue is that there is need to be close to these people since they are weak to guide them to change to agreeable manners, so that they are righteous and loved.”
Whether the Pope actually said what he is reported to have said, or the translation from Spanish was wrongly done, the reaction from other arms of the Church was expected.
“(The pope) implored anew God’s forgiveness for the sins and failings of the Church and its members, among whom priests, and religious men and women who succumbed to hatred and violence,” the Vatican said in a statement.