"Earthquake" at the Vatican on acceptance of gays

Pope Francis has already shaken the foundations of the Roman Catholic Church with his radical departure from the traditional pomp and distanced theology toward a life of humble service and compassion.

Now the assembly of 200 bishops he brought to the Vatican for a week of discussion on the family has heard a Vatican document calling for a changed attitude toward gays, as well as toward heterosexual couples who are not married.

According to a report from Reuter's news service:

"While the text did not signal any change in the Church's condemnation of homosexual acts or its opposition to gay marriage, it used language that was less judgmental and more compassionate than past Vatican statements under previous popes. . . .  

"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a further space in our communities?. . .   Are our communities capable of proving that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?"

These are questions that the bishops will discuss in the second week of the assembly, and it will be the subject for Catholics worldwide to reflect upon during the coming year.

John Thavis, an expert on the Vatican, called the document an earthquake that "clearly reflects Pope Francis' desire to adopt a more merciful pastoral approach on marriage and family issues."

What a departure from his predecessor, Benedict, who referred to homosexuals as "intrinsically disordered."   Francis hinted at such a change last year when he said "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?"

Indeed.   We in the United States have our tsunami of expanding marriage equality.   The Vatican has an even larger constituency.  Where we are 310,000,000, Catholics are 1,200,000,000.   Not all will agree with him, but if anyone could influence them, this gentle, good pope is the one.

Ralph