At the risk of stating a truism, changes in formal teaching come about after changes in practice.
Pope Formalizes Women’s Roles, but Priesthood Stays Out of Reach
In supporting civil unions for same sex couples, Pope Francis is moving Catholics toward a more expansive understanding of family
Public support for civil unions from Pope Francis is not entirely new. When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, and again in a 2014 interview, he spoke about civil unions for same-sex couples. While the Vatican is right in saying that church doctrine remains the same, as a theologian who has been writing about Catholicism and family for over two decades, I see in the pope’s comments evidence that Catholic understanding of who counts as family is evolving.
Ukraine: Registration of Civil Partnerships is needed
Where homosexuality is still illegal, Pope Francis has thrown a lifeline to L.G.B.T. Catholics
by Michael J. O’Loughlin, Ricardo da Silva, S.J.
Janine Scott-dos Santos said she hesitated and prayed about the possibility of legalizing her relationship with her long-time partner. South Africa, where Ms. Scott-dos Santos lives with her partner and their 8-year-old son, legalized same-sex marriage in 2006. But it is only more recently that public attitudes have begun to shift there in terms of the acceptance of L.G.B.T. people.
Ms. Scott-dos Santos said her eventual decision to commit to her partner was “exactly for what the pope is saying, to have our legal rights as a family protected.” Ms. Scott-dos Santos was referencing clips revealed this week in a new documentary that show Pope Francis urging families to accept their L.G.B.T. members and endorsing the idea of civil protections for same-sex couples—though the pope was careful not to endorse same-sex marriage. She said she is hopeful the pope’s words will encourage other people in her situation to take steps to ensure their families are protected under civil law, but she is unsure how much of an impact the pope’s words will have on shifting attitudes.
“I’m not naïve enough to believe that because the pope has said this, that it’s going to change the minds of Catholics,” she said. “But I do think that this is a step in the right direction.” In some ways, Ms. Scott-dos Santos is lucky. She lives in a place where civil protections already exist for L.G.B.T. people and where attitudes are quickly shifting toward acceptance. But many Catholics live in places where homosexuality is considered taboo or is even illegal. Read more via America Jesuit Review
Catholic Church leaders affirm that homosexuality is sin
Pope Francis’s meaningful words must be followed by action
When Pope Francis called for civil unions and spoke of the right of our LGBTI communities to a family, joy has been the first reaction for many of us. For Catholics he is not only our spiritual father, but a hugely influential voice globally to hundreds of millions of people. His words of inclusion will resonate and hopefully drive inclusive change in countries, churches, communities and homes around the world.
Pope's support for gay civil unions seen as threat to same-sex marriage
What does the Pope's support for gay civil unions mean for LGBT+ rights?
Pope Francis calls for civil union laws for same-sex couples
New Ways Ministry Praises Pope’s Support for Civil Unions, Seeks Same Recognition in Church
New Ways Ministry gratefully welcomes Pope Francis’ latest support for civil unions for same-gender couples. It is an historic moment when the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, long seen as a persecutor of LGBTQ people, moves in such a supportive direction for lesbian/gay couples and their families.