POPE File photof of Fr. James Martin, SJ POPE Pope sends letter to Fr. James Martin on homosexuality and sin Pope Francis pens a letter to Jesuit Fr. James Martin explaining his recent comments in an interview with AP that “being homosexual is not a crime”, saying he was referring to Catholic doctrine that teaches that every sexual act outside of marriage is a sin. By Vatican News “I was simply referring to Catholic moral teaching, which says that every sexual act outside of marriage is a sin.” Pope Francis penned those words in response to a letter from Father James Martin, SJ, who carries out his apostolate among the LGBTQ community in the United States. The American Jesuit had written to the Holy Father following his recent interview with the Associated Press. The Pope's handwritten response in Spanish was posted on Father Martin's website, along with a translation in English. 25/01/2023 Pope: Critics help us grow, but I want them to say it to my face Clarification It was already clear from the context of the interview that the Pope had spoken of homosexuality, meaning in that case "homosexual acts" and not homosexuality itself. In his letter, Pope Francis reiterated that his position is that of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as he had already said in his first interview with reporters on the flight back from Brazil in 2013 ("If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?"). Responding to Fr. Martin, the Pope stressed that, regarding sin, “one must also consider the circumstances, which may decrease or eliminate fault.” “I should have said ‘It is a sin, as is any sexual act outside of marriage’,” added the Pope. “This is to speak of ‘the matter’ of sin, but we know well that Catholic morality not only takes into consideration the matter, but also evaluates freedom and intention; and this, for every kind of sin.” Prayers Pope Francis went on in his letter to repeat that being homosexual is not a crime. “I would tell whoever wants to criminalize homosexuality that they are wrong,” he wrote. “In a televised interview, where we spoke with natural and conversational language, it is understandable that there would not be such precise definitions.” There are over 50 countries that hold out the possibility of legal sentences for homosexual people and some of these nations even employ the death penalty. The Pope concluded his letter by assuring Fr. Martin that he prays for him and his work with the LGBTQ community. “Please do the same for me,” he said 28 January 2023, 11:28 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/...ter-james-martin-homosexuality-sin-lgbtq.html
'...but we know well that Catholic morality not only takes into consideration the matter, but also evaluates freedom and intention; and this, for every kind of sin.”' The Holy Father appears to be giving the likes of Fr James Martin a get of jail free card here. I would be curious to know in what particular circumstances he might consider homosexual acts are not sinful.
I think he is wanting to legitimize sodomy in cases where there is an affective bond between homosexuals and not just sexual attraction, as well as in the case of "stable and lasting relationships", this is the strategy that was used in the 2014 synod by liberals.
OCTOBER 13, 20148:41 AMUPDATED 8 YEARS AGO Vatican document challenges Church to change attitude to gays By Philip Pullella 5 MIN READ * Vatican bishops meeting urges merciful approach to gays * Says Church might “accept and value” their orientation * Text also positive on unmarried couples living together VATICAN CITY, Oct 13 (Reuters) - In a dramatic shift in tone, a Vatican document said on Monday that homosexuals had “gifts and qualities to offer” and asked if Catholicism could accept gays and recognise positive aspects of same-sex couples. The document, prepared after a week of discussions at an assembly of 200 bishops on the family, said the Church should challenge itself to find “a fraternal space” for homosexuals without compromising Catholic doctrine on family and matrimony. While the text did not signal any change in the Church’s condemnation of homosexual acts or its opposition to gay marriage, it used language that was less judgmental and more compassionate than past Vatican statements under previous popes. The document will be the basis for discussion for the second and final week of the assembly, known as a synod, which was called by Pope Francis and focuses on the theme of the family. It will also serve for further reflection among Catholics around the world ahead of another, definitive synod next year. “Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a further space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home,” said the document, known by its Latin name “relatio”. “Are our communities capable of proving that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?” it asked. John Thavis, Vatican expert and author of the bestselling 2013 book “The Vatican Diaries”, called the document “an earthquake” in the Church’s attitude towards gays. “The document clearly reflects Pope Francis’ desire to adopt a more merciful pastoral approach on marriage and family issues,” he said. A number of participants at the closed-door synod have said the Church should tone down its condemnatory language when referring to gay couples and avoid phrases such as “intrinsically disordered” when speaking of homosexuals. That was the phrase used by former Pope Benedict in a document written before his election, when he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and head of the Vatican’s doctrinal department. EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGE The language and tone of Monday’s document, read to the assembly in the presence of Pope Francis, appeared to show that the advocates of a more merciful tone toward homosexuals and Catholics in so-called “irregular situations” had prevailed. It said that the 1.2 billion-member Church should see the development of its position on homosexuals as “an important educational challenge” for the global institution. While the Church continued to affirm that gay unions “cannot be considered on the same footing as matrimony between man and woman”, it should recognise that there could be positive aspects to relationships in same-sex couples. “Without denying the moral problems connected to homosexual unions it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners,” the document said. Pope Francis has said the Church must be more compassionate with homosexuals, saying last year: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge.” The Church teaches that while homosexual tendencies are not sinful, homosexual acts are. The document also showed considerable opening to heterosexual couples who were married only in civil services or who were living together, mentioning “positive aspects” of such unions, especially if the couple saw them as a prelude to marriage in the Church. While Church marriages clearly were “the ideal” for Catholics, it said, there were “constructive elements in those situations that do not yet or no longer correspond to that ideal”. Catholics used to call such cohabitation arrangements “living in sin”, another phrase that bishops at the synod were urged not to use when speaking about these couples. (Additional reporting by Tom Heneghan; Editing by Crispian Balmer) https://www.reuters.com/article/pope-synod-idUSL6N0S81P520141013
Sins of impurity blind the intellect and plunge the soul into great darkness. Our Church is in danger of capitualting to the 'spirit' of the age. The spirit of the age is impurity, which requires purgation and exorcism. I know when the warning comes the shock of God's shekinah holiness will be too much for many people. We are dealing with the thrice Holy God so not even a speck of impurity can stand in the presence of He who is all light. A soul in mortal sin prefers the darkness of hell to the light of God's holiness. Oh Boy is our Church in trouble.
There are sins and then again there are sins. Sins remind me of rivers which seek their own natural course following the lowest point until they reach their natural destiny the sea and one way or another their ending. Some sins however are unnatural and break their natural course climbing mountains and flooding across fields causing chaos to all the natural order of things. These then are the very worst of sins, causing the natural order of the world as God created of it. Rivers , for instance were never meant to run uphill to flood mountains. This is why even those , 'Straights' who most support sexual perversion and sexual could not help but be repulsed at actually physically witnessing them. Rivers flowing up mountains. Such sins as well are storm harbingers of the down fall of countries, nations and empires. They are an abomination both in the sight of God, His angels and all God Fearing Men.
these statements serve as a fuel for the German synodal revolution which is expected to end in March.
It is no accident that when the Russians trample through Europe spreading devastation it is Germany that they will have to go through first.
To be honest, IF it was about adults, there issue wouldnt be so bad (it would still be very bad...)however,they rarely keep it between adults: homosexuals are known to attack\groom\seduce children regularly OR incite minors to have affairs with other minors of the same sex. homosexuality cant be inherited(gays dont have children). so they must "recruit".
