In just-released memoir ‘A Catechism of the Heart: A Jesuit Missioned to the Laity’, Benjamin Brenkert laments order’s betrayal of his dream to be the first openly gay priest in good standing
“Many individual bishops continue to prioritize Catholic sexual teaching against homosexual acts over and above Catholic social teaching and its prohibition against discrimination”
Bishop of Dresden-Meissen Heinrich Timmerevers wonders about “intention” behind Secretariat of State explicatory note, still intends to push ahead with blessings for gay couples
“Though he is not changing moral teaching, he is departing from traditional Catholic rhetoric and offering an inclusive, merciful vision to guide Church practice”
Secretary of State letter to Latin American bishops acknowledges selective editing in new documentary has created “confusion”, but says Francis’ apparent endorsement of gay partnerships refers only to “particular arrangements of the State”
Supporters of Pope’s comments “clericalist”, traditional marriage “common sense”, says Bishops’ spokesman and auxiliary of Valladolid Luis Argüello
On heterosexual and same-gender unions, in the Church “we have to be able to say that both are right and there’s space for both”, says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
Academic Martin M. Lintner hails Francis’ “significant step forward” in new documentary: “You cannot demand a legal possibility for something which you reject in and of itself and condemn as sin”
“Were the Pope to put his same-gender civil unions support in an official document, he could remove all doubt as to where he – and the Church – stand”
The pontiff’s remarks in a new documentary are “a way to express what Catholics believe about human dignity in response to new social and political conditions”
Also, ‘We Are Church’ Ireland “warmly welcomes… wonderful news”, “hugely significant step” of Francis’ statement in new documentary: “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family… They’re children of God”
Pontiff also endorses same-gender civil unions in new film ‘Francesco’: “Homosexuals are children of God and have a right to a family”
“As a Church we have done a great job in making sure that homosexual people never even have the idea of turning to a priest”, laments Dresden cleric Christoph Behrens
Young theologians are denouncing discrimination in the Church, asking “how could a loving God want that?”.
In 2012 Fr Tony Flannery was punished by the C.D.F. for publishing articles about the ordination of women, the priesthood and LGBTQ+ people. Since then he has been removed from public ministry.
A former Irish president has blasted the “self-serving… little old men” running the Church, warning them “people are walking away” from Catholicism “in droves”.
As Catholics working together for a renewed Church, we stand proudly in solidarity with Irish Redemptorist Fr. Tony Flannery in the face of continued threats and bullying from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) over his support for women’s ordination and the full dignity of LGBT+ persons.
Church reform groups have blasted the Vatican for bullying a “courageous” Irish priest in favour of women’s ordination and gay marriage, telling Roman authorities to “get a grip”.
Pope Francis has told parents of LGBTIQ+ offspring that “the Lord loves your children just as they are”.
Rainbow Catholics are urging the Pope and the Vatican to rein in LGBTIQ+-phobic prelates, warning that it is “literally a matter of life and death”.
A Global Catholic group is calling on the Polish Bishops to use “every means available” to them to “protect the dignity” of LGBTIQ+ people.
A German bishop is hoping for change in what he regards as “discriminatory” Catholic sexual morality.
Criticism is raining down on the Polish Bishops after they affirmed that Church doctrine on homosexuality is infallible and supported gay ‘conversion therapy’.
A Polish gay couple pleaded with the Pope to “take action” on the homophobic bishops of their country before the prelates there endorsed so-called gay ‘conversion therapy’.
A Catholic parish in Germany has hoisted a 8-metre-high rainbow banner to show that LGBT+ people “can be at home in our church”.
Rome’s gay community has criticised a bishop for disciplining a priest who celebrated a same-sex civil union.
An Italian Catholic group is backing a new homotransphobia law, saying that in the proposed legislation there is “no real risk to anybody’s fundamental freedoms”.
“We became priests to bless people, not to curse them”, a Spanish priest has explained of his LGBTQ outreach.