Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions

Would you prefer 5 wives?

The mind reels ! One wife is more than enough. The only way polygamy survives is by religions that systematically deny women equality with men, demeaning them as subservient to men. When women are treated as equals, polygamy doesn't happen. No, most religions still do not treat women as equals and that most definitely applies all of the Christian denominations. Treating women as equals and guarantee equal rights for women solves a lot of social problems but too often equality makes men uncomfortable. Men need to grow up.

It will be interesting to see how this pope's comments are implemented in Poland. Somehow I have a feeling the Polish government and catholic clergy there will find a way to avoid acknowledging and acting on this. Poland is devolving into a conservative catholic theocracy with LGBT Free zones.

Bob Fosse

That’s the thing about history, things change later. Who’d’ve thunk it!? Crazy eh?

Does history really change that much? Or is current "wokeness" trying to deny reality?

polygamy has actually a lot of historical precedent, and is explicitly allowed in some cultures.

That’s the thing about history, things change later. Who’d’ve thunk it!? Crazy eh?

Burning Bush

To be truly fair and equal, polygamy should be permitted as well.

Correct. And unlike "same sex" marriages, polygamy has actually a lot of historical precedent, and is explicitly allowed in some cultures.

The Holy See, part Politician, part Pontiff, cannot serve both agendas.

I refused taking communion, after the behavior of the Vatican Church’s refusal to cooperate to action the imprisonment of pedophile priests.

The Church blame homosexually for the pervert priests behavior.

That's is not an endorsement, in any sense of the meaning. It is a cynical escape route.

It is merely acceptance that the Catholic Church has been. or become, politically marginalized.

Yes. An escape route to stay relevant in a world that increasingly realises the stranglehold of the church is waning.

Politically marginalized pffft, it’s becoming Socially marginalized and about time.

“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said. “You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”

That is a carefully worded recognition of same sex relationships, however in global legislative sense.

That's is not an endorsement, in any sense of the meaning. It is a cynical escape route.

It is merely acceptance that the Catholic Church has been. or become, politically marginalized.

Don't need any - any religious leader, to tell us what we can and can't have.

Bingo!

Jello said that decades ago. falwell Jr and his ilk are still charlatans. Private jets indeed...

The catholic church carry more guilt than ‘penance’ but a step forward is still a step forward.

2020 keeps on bringing us more and more surprises. At least this is a good surprise.

To be truly fair and equal, polygamy should be permitted as well.

You've brought this up before, and I've given the same old answers before.

First, having a multi-person relationship is allowed in most countries. It just doesn't have the same legal recognition that marriage between two people does.

Second, how would you legally define a polygamous marriage? In your one man and two women example, would it be two marriages (one for each man-woman marriages) or potentially three (plus a woman-woman marriage) or a single marriage that includes all three people? How would divorce be managed? I'm sure the lawyers would love the idea, but it just seems impractical and largely pointless.

As a non-religious person, I welcome the open-minded views of the Pope.

However, I am curious how is he reconciling his stance with the Bible, which has some very harsh words on homosexuality... The church believes the Bible is the word of God, so will they basically admit that it is actually more of a bunch of nice stories put together over time by various people?

The Church keeping up with the times is good news.

Good.

Otherwise we’d still be stoning wives and sacrificing children.

This Pope recognizes this and is positioned to drag the Church into modernity much better than any Pope in my life time.

Much scientific and social progress has been made. Sexuality is now known to be a genetic function, it certainly is not a lifestyle or a choice. I've known some gay Catholics in my life and either way, gays should not be disenfranchised in any way. That's just as unchristian and stupid as racism. Besides, God is sexless so God isn't gay or straight.

Spot on. Consent is the key. I’m glad you didn’t start down the silly marrying children or pets road like some others.

Those type of things are disgusting and destructive. Never acceptable under any circumstances.

And when gay marriages were 'legalized' in America its morals didn't go down the tubes, did it? Oh wait, since when is incest and rape OK (ahem, Trumpyboy)/

Burning BushToday  09:45 am JST

To be truly fair and equal, polygamy should be permitted as well.

If two women love one man and he loves them both and they all agree to a traditional polygamous marriage, why is their love being denied?

Consenting adults are consenting adults.

Spot on. Consent is the key. I’m glad you didn’t start down the silly marrying children or pets road like some others.

Don't need any - any religious leader, to tell us what we can and can't have.

Ideally yes, but unfortunately many do look to religious leaders for the green light on issues. I have no time for the Catholic Church, but I applaud Francis for this. I’d like to see more religious leaders, particularly Muslim clerics, help put an end to discrimination against fellow citizens.

Modern thinking. For his age, very good pope.

Well this is a step in the right direction.

As a graduate of Catholic school, I can safely say that this Pope is much closer to the average Catholic than the previous Pope, the Opus Dei or the People of Praise (or whatever they all this cult).

The flock no longer accepts the infallibility of the Pope. WAY back in the mid 80’s we used to snigger in religion class when they told us the Pope could speak infallibily.

Although I’ve lost my faith I do not begrudge those that have it (and secretly hope that they’re right and I’m wrong). But for a leader to remain relevant in a modern society, that leader must take into account changes in society and adjust how dogma is applied. Otherwise we’d still be stoning wives and sacrificing children.

This Pope recognizes this and is positioned to drag the Church into modernity much better than any Pope in my life time.

Yeah.

Good.

Don't need any - any religious leader, to tell us what we can and can't have.

But for those who do worship? Well, there are plenty of gay Christians out there - and the RCC is slowly being dragged into the 20th century. Long way to go.

But aforementioned LGBT followers have long since moved on from following the every utterance of archaic, celibate men. They realize that previous teachings encouraging self-loathing and bigotry have no place in their lives. The Church needs to reform, or face schisms - or face becoming redundant.

Good to see that the progressive attitudes of the Catholic church - so much more advanced than the conservative evangelical right. But this will not go down well in some Catholic regions of the world, such as parts of Africa.