I have been remiss about posting lately, but was struck by the report of Pope Francis' cryptic comment on the existence of a "gay lobby" at the Vatican. Given that this reference came after talk of a "stream of corruption in the curia", I imagine this was not meant to be a benign remark.
The church, or at least many in the church, seem to still hang on to the idea that gay and lesbians in the church, especially gay priests, are the problem. It indicates to me that they equate the child molestation scandal amongst the clergy, to homosexuality in the clergy. These are completely different issues. Child abuse is an evil sickness that is wrapped up in the need to have power over helpless children. Homosexuality is just a matter of being attracted to your own sex for an adult love interest.
I would like to see this pope concentrate more on liberalizing and democratizing the church, however, it seem, this is not going to happen. At least he could put more emphasis on economic justice and a more equitable distribution of wealth in our world. If he gets wrapped up in some kind of "night of the long knives" persecution of gay clergy and gay Catholics, he will be further throwing the church back into the dark ages as well as causing an exodus of fair minded Catholics to other faiths.
Personally I am not religious and have many more issues with the church I grew up in aside from its treatment of gays and lesbians. We all have an interest in reforming a huge institution like the Catholic Church. More so than its presence in the USA, it has a large sway with populations in places like Africa and South America. The Church could be a beacon for change in a troubled world but persecution of gays is definitely the wrong path and a very hateful one.
-Louwis
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