He's the pope, what the hell else would I expect from him? Not really counting on the catholic church to make giant strides in human rights anytime soon...
This article deeply saddens me. I cannot fathom someone believing that it is right to deny a child of two loving parents on the grounds that it is child abuse. The fact that they're using God to perpetuate arbitrary, antiquated family structures is infuriating. I cannot believe in a God or an institution that would reject love in any form.
I think this is pretty bad news for thoughtful Catholics who were hoping not to be embarrassed by the pontiff.
Personally, if I were pope, I'd go for the name Clement. It basically means gentle and merciful. Unlike Francis, who is apparently cool with suppressing people's happiness in the name of heaven.
Well, I did say Catholicism, not Catholic parents . Although I'm doubtful a true Catholic (i.e. one who does believe in eternal torture after death) could raise a child without ever exposing them to that kind of thinking.
I was raised Catholic, without the fire-and-brimstone threats of eternal damnation. I still reject Catholicism, but I didn't have a very negative experience with it personally.
I must admit, his views are far from surprising. However, it is sort of exciting (if only because of the media coverage and such), and I wish him well. Mazel Tov!
To answer your question, a cardinal begins religious life as a priest and works his way up. The steps are: priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope. Therefore, the pope is old because he has had to work his way from priest to cardinal.
I just dont understand how the pope decides how the bible is interpreted. Has there ever been a liberal-ish pope? like what would happen if they support gay marriage or abortion?
They wouldn't become the Pope. The Vatican has seen a lot of reformists but they haven't necessarily favoured progressive positions on matters of social importance. Supporting same sex marriage or abortion rights goes so strongly against Catholic orthodoxy that it would be unimaginable for someone espousing those positions to be elevated to the cardinalate, let alone be considered a viable papabile.
Did you think he'd be on our side? On a side note, a much worse form of child abuse is cramming your religion down your kids' throats.
I'm not Catholic, but isn't that stereotypical? Every single person that is catholic must not hate LGBTQ people.
That's a bit rich coming from Pope Francis and the Catholic church in general, who cover up paedophilia within the church.
Agreed, my parents never used religion to threaten or harm my siblings and me. Religion was hardly even referenced outside of holidays or sacraments, and to repeat myself, never used in a threatening/abusive manner. People who do things like that are just people with poor parenting skills who use a religion as a crutch for horrible reasons.
