Pope Francis says Christians should apologise to gay people

So the Pontiff himself has come out and said that not only should gay people should not be discriminated against, but that the church itself should apologise to them.

www.theguardian.com...

Pope Francis said on Sunday that Christians and the Roman Catholic Church should seek forgiveness from gay people for the way they had treated them.

In an hour-long conversation with reporters on the plane taking him back to Rome from Armenia,the pontiff was asked if he agreed with recent comments by a German Roman Catholic cardinal that the Church should apologise to gay people.

The pope recalled Church teachings, saying: “[Gay people] should not be discriminated against. They should be respected, accompanied pastorally.

“I think that the Church not only should apologise … to a gay person whom it offended but it must also apologise to the poor as well, to the women who have been exploited, to children who have been exploited by (being forced to) work. It must apologise for having blessed so many weapons.”

Still not condoning homosexual acts, but definitely a step in a more tolerant direction.

He seems inclined to apologise for other sins of the church.

“We Christians have to apologise for so many things, not just for this (treatment of gay people), but we must ask for forgiveness, not just apologise; forgiveness. Lord, it is a word we forget so often.” he said.

No doubt his words will draw scorn from some, but I think it a positive move from the head of the Catholic church.

All US citizens should apologise to the native tribes of the US
Australians and Britz the natives of Australia
Germans should apologise to the Jews and the pope and all Catholics to sexually abused children

All the pope needs is a red nose and he can be a real clown, he has a stupid hat

He has to start by explaining the churches reasoning not just dictating that it must be done
And yes it must be done, only by those who do abuse their power

a reply to: cuckooold

There is nothing wrong with saying sorry when you are wrong I guess.

I would also suggest that the Pope, and the heads of all churches in fact, apologise to their followers for having misled them (not just about homosexuality) for oh so many years, but I doubt that will happen.

a reply to: cuckooold

Fair enough to a point, however, I'd be much happier if he'd actually said;

"I'm sorry world, religion really is a sh!t idea, particularly my religion, so I'm giving it up and I recommend you do the same."

Kind Regards
Myselfaswell

a reply to: cuckooold

So if this attitude of the church can (slowly) change -- what else of the Catholic and Christian belief system can 'change'?

If that is the case then, does it mean anything in their scriptures can change? Based on the changes in modern society?

a reply to: cuckooold

Let face it Pope Francis, going along with that kind of logic Christians should be apologizing to the whole world never mind just the gay community.

Some of the crap Christianity has perpetrated over the last few millennium is down right diabolical and dare i say rates rather higher up the apology ladder than the blatant homophobia also displayed.

I suppose it's better than nothing.

a reply to: noonebutme

They have been editing and deleting parts of the Bible in one form or another for the past 2000 odd years to suit there own agenda.

Did I just wake up in an alternate reality? It seems like the more violence and Chaos Muslims spread, the more scrutiny and attention Christians get.

a reply to: Raggedyman
I don't owe anyone an apology. I did not do anything to native Americans. I guess my ancient pound scum ancestors who ate its neighbor pond scum ancestor to survive should apologize too?

a reply to: cuckooold

We Christians may apologize, but too many people will misread it as condoning sexual promiscuity.

Homosexuals are exactly as human as heterosexuals.

The issue is that sexual promiscuity outside of a real and lasting relationship is sin.

I really don't think that gender identification has anything to do with the sin.

originally posted by: myselfaswell
a reply to: cuckooold

Fair enough to a point, however, I'd be much happier if he'd actually said;

"I'm sorry world, religion really is a sh!t idea, particularly my religion, so I'm giving it up and I recommend you do the same."

Kind Regards
Myselfaswell

Wouldn't it be nice if atheists put their hands up and said, yep.
Atheist have killed a hundred million and more, we are no better than you guys

That won't happen

a reply to: cuckooold

Well, perhaps it would have been wiser for him to say that those who have been actively and vocally discriminatory toward persons of a homosexual, lesbian, bi sexual or transgender leaning, should apologise.

Those of us who do not discriminate have nothing to apologise for, and have been instrumental in upholding people from all manner of communities, without his edict or approval for years!

originally posted by: chr0naut
a reply to: cuckooold

We Christians may apologize, but too many people will misread it as condoning sexual promiscuity.

Homosexuals are exactly as human as heterosexuals.

The issue is that sexual promiscuity outside of a real and lasting relationship is sin.

I really don't think that gender identification has anything to do with the sin.

The issue is that homosexual relationships are unacceptable in the church
Outside of the church, please, it's not our buisness, please get married if you would like to, please excuse fundamentalists
Please understand that within the church, at least some.
We can't agree with your lifestyle

If you don't believe it's a sin it's your choice to live your life
To us, we can't agree biblicaly that it's acceptable in a Christian church

originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: noonebutme

They have been editing and deleting parts of the Bible in one form or another for the past 2000 odd years to suit there own agenda.

Any proof, I would like to see that

a reply to: Raggedyman

Well you have the various Councils of Nicaea which had a hand in deciding the books, gospels and psalms, that make up the Bible, that have taken place never mind the fact that we now have the new testament as apposed to the old. How much more proof do you require?

a reply to: Raggedyman

I, my friend, am not an atheist. I believe in nothing.

All I see is probability, outcomes & statistics.

Kind Regards
Myselfaswell

Pope Francis is an excellent argument for not being Catholic. Glad I am not one.

Perhaps he should read his own holy book and apologize for it too? These days, something as simple as Christ's teachings on divorce is "hateful," so I am done being apologetic.

Not child abuse victims ?
Funny that

a reply to: andy06shake

Maybe a little more research firs before commenting, might not look so silly