What do you think about the new Pope?

A criminal like all of them.

I am a Catholic. I was astonished, and happy, when I heard what he said. This pope has moved the church farther in a few months than it has moved since John XXIII and Vatican Council II, 50 years ago.

It sets the stage for a complete reworking of the Church’s position on sexuality. After that, women priests, and it will be a 21st century church.

I’m not Catholic. (As you know, I am Jewish.) I wonder what the real impact of that statement will be. He was specifically talking about gay priests – and Catholic priests are supposed to be celibate by definition. I suppose it is possible that even such a limited point could have much broader implications. I would be curious as to what the Catholics on Fluther will think.

@answerjill That piece of information is very important. The news report I saw did not mention he was commenting about gay priests. The church has accepted gay priests forever. That would mean no real change. So, do you think the media has twisted his words? They aren’t giving the full context if you are correct.

@JLeslie: The Catholic church has accepted gay priests forever? What do you mean by that?

I’m listening to analysis on NPR right now and this dude just said that the Vatican recently (under Benedict, I’m assuming) issued a statement that people with “deep-rooted” homosexual tendencies were not fit for the priesthood.

@bookish1 The way I have always understood it is it was ok to be gay in your mind, but the homosexual sexual acts were what the church had a problem with. My Catholic friends know some of their Priests are gay. In Ft. Lauderdale my BIL used to see the Priest out with male friends at places commonly frequented by gay men. My girlfriend in MI has told me her Priest admits he is gay, but takes his vow of celibacy seriously. Another friend of mine when I lived in FL said it was obvious to her the Priest in her church was gay.

Jewish. And I could care less what this Pope says.

Gays are the least of his problems. When he takes on the issues of abortion, of celibacy, and female priests, I will take him a little more seriously.

@bookish1 That’s right. The previous pope said that homosexual men were “not fit for the priesthood”. That seems harsh, and completely against the Catholic Church teaching. A vow of celibacy means a vow of celibacy, so how can a gay man be denied the priesthood?

Baptist, and I admire this Pope. I don’t think he has moved the church further than Vatican II, as @zenvelo says, but he certainly is doing wonderful things.

I am not catholic. I very much admire this pope. He chose to live more simply. He picked a less ornate throne. He carried his own bag. He seems to embody humility and poverty. I also liked what he said yesterday about being gay.

I don’t have any real opinion on him, Pope John Paul II was brilliant though, him I liked.

In regards to your question about context, I read about it in articles like this one that seemed to make the priest thing clear: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/world/europe/pope-francis-gay-priests.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

“Who am I to judge?”

Holy guacamole. When has that EVER stopped the church from weighing in on anyone’s private life before, from birth control to sex to when and how many children to have?

If they are going to stop judging, how will they continue to be the Star Belly Sneeches?

That Catholic church has always said that it’s ok to be gay, as long as you’re permanently celibate.

He didn’t lose any time confirming that women are still lower class.

Also, I’m wondering if this wasn’t just another excuse to cover up the molestation scandal.

@Seek_Kolinahr as in who am I to judge Chester the Holy Molester?

I can tell you this much. Having been a former Catholic there are plenty of stubborn, judgmental Catholics (no surprise just like sub group anyone in the world) this is a refreshing perspective and it’s the correct “by the book” way to go about his business. The Bible teaches Christians not to judge.

“Who am I to judge” what I find fascinating about this quote is, it’s kind of saying, I am like you (an ordinary person) and this is how we should all believe to get closer with God, ourselves, our neighbors. It’s about respect, and not control.

Catholic, non-practicing for the most part. Another JP is a good thing, most Catholics I know like him because he’s more people-oriented like the OG JP – lol

As far as being gay, @downtide is correct, only celibate gay’s are acceptable, so while I applaud coming out of the dark ages, we’re still not up-to-date.

I’ve tried to tell you all that most (maybe not uber-conservatives like my uncle) religious people I khow have a problem with NOT accepting LGBT’s, regardless of religious affiliation, it just seems to go against everything we’ve been taught, which is why it’s so important to make these baby steps into modernism.

Same ole…... with a different zucchetto(skull cap)!

@ZEPHYRA I always say the Pope wears a yarmulke.

atheist. i like that statement of his, he didn’t have to say it.

This brings up an interesting question. So many homophobes are uber religious, and as you know Catholics believe the Pope has a direct line with God, and pretty much everything he says is directly from God. I wonder if there are Catholics who find this very, very confusing? How would they handle this apparent conflict?

@Dutchess_III Rednecks & uber-conservatives have a lot of homophobes, and I’m sure they’re not the only ones who find this confusing. How about LGBT’s that want to have relations at any point in their lives? :)

Agnostic.
I don’t really keep up on what the Pope is doing, and this is the first time I heard about this. My first thought was that I’ve heard hubdreds of other people say the same thing. Maybe it seems like a big deal, because he’s the Pope? I don’t get it.
I still want his hat.

You’re right, @KNOWITALL. I really didn’t even need to mention it, did I! But won’t the Catholics ask themselves how this is even possible? How could God just change his mind? I heard he changed his mind about blacks in 1978. :)

Hundreds, damnit!

I forgot to state my religion. Recovering Catholic; apatheist.

So you’re a perfect person to ask this question of @GoldieAV16. Didn’t the church tell you homosexuality is wrong, wrong, wrong….but now, here is a pope, with a direct line to God saying it’s actually OK, and nobody’s business? What are your thoughts?

I’m Catholic (currently mostly non-practicing).

I loudly cheered and teared up when he came to the balcony and stated his name choice. I knew in the deepest part of my soul that he means to set things back to right within the Church.

I believe he is setting a new course for the Church. His latest statement is only the beginning as far as I can see.

But doesn’t it contradict what popes through the centuries have taught @SpatzieLover? How can that be reconciled without throwing everything into question?

Oh! @Simone_De_Beauvoir‘s in the house!

@Dutchess_III Most Catholics that I know were okay with LGBT’s for the most part, it’s actually a very open religion with lots of minorities, even though it seems to have a lot of rules. One of the reasons I converted is because of their live and let live attitude, which is completely different than any other religion I’ve ever participated in, and most definately less judgemental than Baptists.

@Dutchess_III In Catholocism, it’s ok to be gay (adjective), just not ok to be gay (verb).

We’re all sinners, after all, we just can’t commit sin.

@Dutchess_III I will say directly, I have never ever been directly told by anyone (priest or any clergy) in my Church that homosexuality is wrong or a choice.

My husband has a devout Lutheran brother. His church/pastors, ever. single. time. I’ve been in it has proclaimed “Homosexuality is a SIN against God.” Every. Single. Time. They make it sound like they’re in a war against all homosexuals.

(we have to go to his church a lot….he has 8 kids that all have been baptized, confirmed and have bi-annual pageants/performances there. I’m astonished by the way it’s addressed in front of children…and in front of me)

Wow @SpatzieLover. How awful. If someone is THAT het about it, you can’t help but wonder if he’s keeping something secret about himself.

@Dutchess_III Yes, the Catholic Church taught me that quite a few sexual things were wrong. “Impure thoughts” anyone? Touching one’s self? Sex outside of marriage? I cannot stand that religion, for all the harm they have done through the ages. As far as I am concerned, they poisoned my mind with hate and wrong thoughts, and it’s why I consider myself in “recovery.” That sort of damage is so hard to undo! I remember a nun – A NUN – mocking one of my neighbors (a child!) for being Jewish. But in the sweetest way possible, which led me to believe that it was okay to mock her, too. I was 7 years old. I didn’t know any better.

@Dutchess_III Agreed. The first time I thought ”What is this all about?!” The second time to their church I thought ”Thou dost protest too much!”

He’s the Popeiest. I dig him the most.

There is a new Pope? Go figure

Should be “mostiest,” @Blondesjon. Just sayin’

@GoldieAV16 Wow, I haven’t seen or heard anything negative really. In my area, after church, everyone runs outside, lights up a smoke and talks about who’s having the cocktail hour later. Really cool people that do a LOT for the community and actually are fun to hang out with. I found such peace I almost took vows.

I’m sorry that your church was so bad, that’s awful, to be taught to hate by your church. :(

Okay, so this doesn’t really answer the question…but in the middle of lunch today, my daughter put down her drink and announced loudly
I don’t like the Pope!

Or at least that’s what I thought she said. She was actually trying to say pulp (in her lemonade).

I probably stared at her for a good minute with my eyebrows raised until I understood what she was trying to say.

@Nimis I’ll give that a GA. Cute.

His positive comment on gay people was revolutionary. I see it as a sign of hope.

But he still runs the world’s largest organization for which discrimination is part of the official program (by denying women equal rights).

The more I learn of this new Pope, it makes me think of new Puppet.

The Pope seems very respectful and genuine. A lot could be learned from him. Actually, he has much in common with the newest minister in the Church of Satan.

My only opinion on the Pope, honestly, is that his hat is legendary, and I want it.

@AshLeigh It’s called a mitre. I know that from when I used to altar serve.

I know mitre from doing crossword puzzles.

I thought mitre was a kind of saw or cut.