Pope Francis Supports Civil Unions Of LBGTQ Couples

 

Pope Francis

Photo Courtesy: gulfnews.com/

Pope Francis is the first Catholic pope to endorse same-sex civil unions. His support of this civil union came in interview given in the documentary film 'Francesco,' which premiered at the Rome Film Festival on October 21, 2020.

Pope Francis said,"Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered." 

On March 15, 2021, Vatican's doctrinal office, with Pope Francis' approval, officially decreed that gay or same-sex unions cannot be blessed in the Catholic Church because God 'can't bless sin.' Previously, in spite of Pope's voicing of support for same-sex civil unions, this stand of the Church is under criticism and denunciation from Catholic and non-Catholic observers and gay persons. 

To know the details, please read the following:

• Pope Francis voices support of civil unions for LGBTQ couples in new documentary (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis declares support for same-sex civil unions for the first time as Pope (Oct. 21. 2020)
• Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance (Oct. 21, 2020)
• In Shift for Church, Pope Francis Voices Support for Same-Sex Civil Unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis indicates support for same-sex civil unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope endorses civil union laws for same-sex couples (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same-sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope endorses same-sex civil unions for first time (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope Francis endorses civil union laws for gay couples in new documentary (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Divided reactions in US as pope backs same-sex civil unions (Oct. 21, 2020)
• Pope may support same-sex unions, but that doesn't mean the Vatican does (Oct. 22, 2020)

• Vatican, with Pope Francis' approval, says priests cannot bless same-sex couples (March 15, 2021)
• Full Text: Vatican doctrinal office's response to a question on the blessing of same-sex unions (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican, Pope Francis say Catholic Church can't bless same-sex marriages because God 'can't bless sin' (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican excludes gay union blessing as 'God can't bless sin' (March 15, 2021)
• Vatican says priests can't bless gay couples. Why did pope Francis approve this decree? (March 15, 2021)
• The Pope Opened the Door to Gay Unions, the Vatican Just Slammed It Shut (March 15, 2021)
• LGBTQ Catholics worry that Pope Francis' decree on same-sex unions could drive more away the church (March 15, 2021)
• New Ways Ministry Calls Vatican's Ban on Blessing Same-Gender Couples as Impotent Decision (March 15, 2021)

Jesuit-Run Georgetown University To Open LGBTQ-Only Campus Housing For Students

Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., USA

Photo courtesy: www.churchmilitant.com/

The Catholic Church had a hard stance on sexuality, especially homosexuality. With Pope Francis, things began to change for a softer approach and greater acceptance. In line with this new stance of the first Jesuit Pope (Francis), Jesuit-run Georgetown University took an unforeseen decision for providing exclusive residence to the LGBTQ (L=Lesbian, G=Gay, B=Bisexual, T=Transgender, and Q=Questioning -- i.e. those not yet sure of their gender) students in the campus. This action is keeping many traditional and conservative Catholics' eyes rolling. 

For more on the topic and issue, please read the following: 

• Catholic Georgetown to Open LGBT-Only Campus Housing (January 10, 2018)
• Georgetown University To Offer 'Jesuit-Approved' LGBTQ-Only Housing (January 9, 2018)
• Georgetown approves 'gender and sexuality' housing option (January 5, 2018)
• Georgetown University Threatens Student Group For Upholding Catholic Teachings (October 27, 2017)
• OPINION: Georgetown students try to drum group off campus for espousing Catholic teaching on marriage (October 23, 2017)
• The Georgetown Voice: Life Beyond The Rainbow: LGBTQ At Georgetown (September 19, 2013)
• A Rainbow Over Catholic Colleges: How Georgetown Became a Gay-Friendly Campus (July 30, 2013)
• Colleges and Universities That Provide Gender-Inclusive Housing [in the USA]

In the USA, the conservative and unfavourable attitude of the Americans, including Roman Catholics, towards the LGBTQ people and their lifestyle changed significantly in the last few decades. Several polls, mentioned below, give a picture of that change:

• Most Americans Oppose Restricting Rights for LGBT People (PRRI: September 14, 2017)
• More Catholics support gay 'marriage' than ever before. Here's why (Life Site News: June 27, 2017)
• Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage: Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage (Pew Research Center: June 26, 2017)
• U.S. Support to Gay Marriage Edges to New High (Gallup News: May 15, 2017)
• Most Catholics Don't Support Religious Liberty Rights for Business Owners, Poll Claims (Christian Post: February 9, 2017)
• Most American Religious Groups Support Same-Sex Marriage, Oppose Religiously Based Service Refusals (PRRI: February 3, 2017)
• Catholic Church Gay Marriage (Archived write-ups in the Huffington Post)