In response to allegations that he spoke extremely disparagingly about gay men, Pope Francis has issued an apology. The Pope apologized to people who were “hurt by the use of a word” and stated that he did not mean to offend anyone, according to a Vatican statement.
The pope reportedly stated at the Italian Bishops’ Conference that gay men should not be permitted to pursue priesthood training, adding that there was already a climate of frociaggine—a highly offensive slur. Although this meeting was private, a lot has been written about it.
“Pope issues an apology for a remarked homophobic slur.”
As stated in the statement, “Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops… behind closed doors.” Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See, the ruling body of the Catholic Church, was quoted further.
Other Italian news agencies quickly verified the reported remarks made by the Pope, which were initially leaked to the tabloid website Dagospia.
The reported language has shocked many, especially considering that Pope Francis has frequently stated in public that homosexual people should be treated with respect.
As he [the Pope] has said numerous times, “There is room for everyone, everyone in the Church,” Mr. Bruni said. No one is superfluous or useless; everyone is welcome to exist exactly as we are
Mr. Bruni concluded in the Vatican statement, “The Pope never meant to offend or to use homophobic language, and apologises to everyone who felt offended [or] hurt by the use of a word.”
For a considerable time, pro-gay supporters of the Pope have maintained that although the Church’s stance on homosexual rights has not significantly changed, the Pope has altered its tone.
Early in his pontificate, he was questioned about homosexuals, and his response, “Who am I to judge?” made national news.
He has often discussed gay people being welcome in the Church and recently caused controversy among Catholic traditionalists by stating that priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in certain situations.
However, Marianne Duddy-Burke, the leader of the LGBT Catholic rights organization DignityUSA, described the alleged remarks as “shocking and hurtful,” particularly for gay priests who have “served God’s people faithfully and well”.
She told the Reuters news agency, “Unfortunately, even if meant as a joke, the Pope’s comment reveals the depth of anti-gay bias and institutional discrimination that still exist in our church.”
(BBC)
