"Gay rights group hailed a "seismic shift" by the Catholic Church

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   Rad Manposted 9 years ago

   on Monday after bishops said homosexuals had gifts to offer the church and that their partnerships, while morally problematic, provided them "precious" support."
   
   Read the start of the article, however much further down…
   
   "The bishops said gays had "gifts and qualities" to offer and asked rhetorically if the church was ready to provide them a welcoming place, "accepting and valuing their sexual orientation without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony."
   
   "The bishops repeated that gay marriage was off the table. But their report acknowledged that gay partnerships had merit.
   
   For heterosexuals, the bishops said the church must grasp the "positive reality of civil weddings" and even cohabitation, with the aim of helping the couple commit eventually to a church wedding."
   
   Translation, we'll invite them in and change them.

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      Emile Rposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know about changing them. I see it as welcoming them in to get their money, but making it clear they aren't fully accepted.

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         Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Well, they claim they will be more excepting of Catholic couple living together in order to bring the to marriage. It seems to be about motives rather than acceptance.

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      Motown2Chitownposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      To be fair, the church never makes change quickly, so just the willingness to be open to relationships and civil unions among homosexuals is a huge, huge thing.
      
      As regards helping to prepare heterosexual couples for church marriage, they are simply not ready to admit that marriage, as it has always been defined and practiced within the church, is NOT the actual preference of God to cohabitation.
      
      Cut them some slack though. This is a centuries old institution that has NEVER spoken this openly or compassionately
      about this issue. IMO, anyway.

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         Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I agree, but whenever I read into what they say, it's the same old thing really.

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            Motown2Chitownposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            See, the fact that they are even speaking about it beyond labeling it grave sin and saying gay marriage will never happen is NOT just the same old thing. Give it some time and see how it plays out.

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               Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               He's been clear. Women should have a bigger role, but will not become priests, Gays are welcome to come in with their cash but we will not marry them. It's big business. Let's take advantage of women and gays, but give them nothing in return.
               
               How many more thousands of years shall we wait for change? I have to say this guy is a smooth politician.

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                  Motown2Chitownposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  I think you're a bit more cynical than I am. Time...give it time. How long did it take before it was okay to baptize children born out of wedlock? Every change in the Catholic Church happens at a glacial pace. We want it now! Have some hope, my friend!!
                  
                  And to be fair, financial support is NOT a requirement for church membership. I've been a parish member during years where all I put into the collection plate was an empty envelope, and have not been treated differently than anyone else.

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                     Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     Right, they don't see what you put in, but one of the last times I was at mass was my youngest's confirmation and the priest spent half an hour telling us that it's not enough to give until it hurts, we must give more when it hurts until it starts to feel good, cause they need a new roof. Don't forget they are in the business of making money, tax free money.

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                        Motown2Chitownposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        I'm not exactly saying you're wrong. I'm just saying that they often rely on those who have more money to begin with. On that you're correct, sadly.

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                           Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           When the nun's have to take a vow of poverty, but the priest's don't...

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                              Motown2Chitownposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              Depends on which priests. Any priest who belongs to a religious order takes vows like sisters and nuns-poverty, chastity, and obedience. Diocesan priests (your average parish priests) make a promise of obedience to the bishop that encompasses a voluntary promise of celibacy and the agreement to live a simple lifestyle. Religious priests cannot own property (it is all held in common with their community), but diocesan priests are allowed to.

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                                 Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 Great business plan!!!!!!

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      jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Rad Man, as a gay woman, I think it's a huge step forward for the Catholic Church.
      
      Whilst it's still not equating marriage between the same gender to heterosexual marriage - it's a step in the right direction. I think the new Pope is slowly bringing the Catholic Church forward into the 21st Century. One cannot do these things quickly.
      
      I'm not Catholic, or religious in the slightest, but I can see the benefit to those in the Catholic Church who are themselves gay - finally, their relationships are to be looked on as bringing positives and gifts to offer, rather than shunned and turned away from the faith of their childhood.
      
      I think they recognise that 'change' isn't going to happen, and that trying to is damaging - both psychologically, but also to the person's faith....the last thing they want to do is damage a person's faith and turn them away from God, isn't it?
      
      Meh, I'm happy for the Catholic Church and it's LGBT members.

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         Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I guess it could be seen a step in the right direction. If it helps those who are afraid to be outed that's a good thing. However the gifts they are talking about may just be the cash they bring in. I think 2000 years is long enough to wait.

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   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   I am not seeing it going straight to that place.  The Pope allowed the bishops to express their ideas (which is not the norm).  What they discussed is broadly represented by some questions that were published.  I think that really is all there is to it.

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