Pope Francis turned heads a few months ago when he claimed that he had no right to judge the LGBT community. Now Pope Francis has shocked the world again after he recently claimed that the Roman Catholic Church has become “obsessed” with the LGBT community and should not intrude on the lives of gay people.
During a wide-ranging interview with American Magazine, Pope Francis said that the church has lost sight of its original mission to be a “home for all.” He also claimed that, although the church should share its views on homosexuality, abortion and other issues, it should not “interfere spiritually” with the lives of gays and lesbians.
“We have to find a new balance, otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel,” Francis said in the interview.
“The church has sometimes locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules,’” Francis said. “The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials.”
Althought Francis says it’s “clear” that the church doesn’t support things like same-sex marriage, he claimed that it’s not his job or right to judge anyone for being LGBT.
“A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person,” said Francis.
We applaud Francis for sharing such powerful words of acceptance and peace with his followers and for combatting the homophobia judgment that has plagued the church for many years. Luckily, he’s not alone. Check out some other major figures who have spoken out for the LGBT community below. – nicholas robinson
