The results of a major poll requested by Pope Francis are being heralded in the media, but while His Holiness urges compassion, it’s clear the Vatican has no clue about homosexuality and insists on retaining its ignorance.
Today the media is touting a new study released by the Vatican, the compilation of questions asked of Catholic laity and clergy worldwide. The inclusion of even the most negative responses is noteworthy and praiseworthy, and the Holy See’s attempts to be supportive and compassionate towards issues like same-sex marriage and homosexuality are a marked shift, it’s painfully obvious Vatican leaders neither consulted with LGBT leaders nor care to actually understand homosexuality or families headed by same-sex spouses and partners.
The AP describes the document as “citing Francis’ frequent call for the church to be more merciful and less judgmental,” adding it “recommends new pastoral guidelines to confront the increasing reality of legal recognition for same-sex unions, stressing that gays must be treated with dignity, respect and spared discrimination.”
But the document, titled “The Pastoral Challenges Of The Family In The Context Of Evangelization,” runs over 25,000 words, mentions homosexuality in one form or another 18 times, and is filled with antiquated perceptions of LGBT people.
For instance, despite claiming to wish to “find a balance between the church’s teaching on the family and a respectful, non-judgmental attitude toward people living in [same-sex] unions,” it suggests that the Church should treat differently gay people who are “discreet” and gay people who are “aggressively” gay.
“When considering the possibility of a ministry to these [gay] people,” the document advises, “a distinction must be made between those who have made a personal, and often painful, choice and live that choice discreetly so as not to give scandal to others, and those whose behaviour promotes and actively — often aggressively — calls attention to it.”
It also suggests that gay people are somehow less than human and are not mature.
“The great challenge will be to develop a ministry which can maintain the proper balance between accepting persons in a spirit of compassion and gradually guiding them to authentic human and Christian maturity.”
While allowing children of same-sex couples to be baptized, “the pastor is carefully to oversee the preparation for the possible baptism of the child, with particular attention given to the choice of the godfather and godmother.” Again, treating gay Catholics as somehow immature and in need of greater assistance than straight Catholics.
It of course holds true to Catholic doctrine, and notes that while compassion and understanding should be how Catholics treat LGBT people, it cautions that “the faithful” should not “give equal status to heterosexual marriage and civil unions between persons of the same sex.”
Some will see this as a growing acceptance of LGBT people, while others will see this as merely a moderation of language but not doctrine. Both are likely correct.
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Image by Edgar Jiménez via Flickr