Pope Francis On Gay Clergy: "Who Am I To Judge?"

 July 29, 2013(CBS News) Pope Francis frankly discussed topics that have historically been controversial for the Catholic church aboard his flight back to the Vatican Monday, including homosexuality within the priesthood and the ordination of women as priests.When questioned on what his response would be upon learning that a cleric was gay, though not sexually active, the Argentinian-born pontiff said he wouldn't judge gay priests and explained, "You can't marginalize these people.""If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" he said.The conciliatory comments represented a shift from his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, who signed a document in 2005 saying that men with deeply rooted homosexual tendencies shouldn't be priest.However, he insisted that the ban of female priests will remain in tact, telling reporters the question was "definitively" answered by Pope John Paul II.Pope Francis was returning from his first foreign trip to Brazil. He told a crowd gathered for the farewell ceremony at the airport in Rio de Janeiro, "I leave with a soul filled with happy memories."On the tarmac Sunday night, the pontiff said his final goodbyes and gave one last blessing after delivering an open-air mass to three million Catholics gathered on Copacabana beach earlier in the day.The faithful were gathered in Brazil for World Youth Day, a bi-annual gathering of young Catholics from around the world -- the group performed a flashmob to welcome the pope as his helicopter landed."The homily was so amazing and so touching," California resident Kayleigh Lembke told CBS News' Adriana Diaz. She added, "So simple but so profound."Vatican officials are calling the trip a success and are hoping it will help invigorate the Catholic church.Accompanying video at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57595894/pope-francis-on-gay-clergy-who-am-i-to-judge/© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.***Dear Fred,Aboard his return flight to Italy, Pope Francis made the following comments. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/07/pope-francis-on-gay-clergy-who-am-i-to.htmlIt is often said that "The Vatican changes by centuries whereas the world changes by decades." Often, this glacial pace is a good thing.However, the "medieval ice" has begun to break as surely (and as unexpectedly) as the Arctic ice shelf is giving way to The Northwest Passage.I recommend Matthew's entire passage about "not passing judgment."  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:%201-5&version=MSG Alongside better known translations, I find that my understanding of The Good News is enhanced by "The Message."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Message_(Bible) In my early 20s, reading the Gospel in Spanish had similar effect.Pax tecum Alan ***On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 11:08 AM, Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com> wrote:who am I to judge?” Francis said.Moving with astonishing speed from simplicity to stupidity, Francis abdicates all responsibility.Who is he to judge? He is the Pope. His role is make judgments. He might have exercised his authority as judge to determine that the gay clergy deserve  a better deal. Doing that would indicate he is using the brain that God gave him and he intends to use it.Why do we have a Pope? We don't need really need one. Actually, why do we have priests? Are we all not children of God?Fred Owens - My blog is Fred Owenscell: 360-739-0214***Dear Fred,Thanks for your email.I think Francis' judgment is where it should be - in his behavior.Passing judgment - particularly the damning sort - almost always inspires counterproductive reaction, particularly in the "group" one is "apparently" trying to convert.Pax tecumAlan
Source:http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/07/pope-francis-on-gay-clergy-who-am-i-to.html

Pope Francis On Gay Clergy: "Who Am I To Judge?" Images

Pope Francis: "Who am I to judge" gay clergy - CBS News
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Pope Francis waves goodbye on Sunday, July 28, 2013, as he boards a ...
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Pope Francis on gay prists: "Who am I to judge?"
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