Now The English Speaking Catholic Church Will 'Provide for Homosexuals' Not Welcome Them

[rug]

Religion News Service | By Josephine McKenna
Posted: 10/16/2014 1:51 pm EDT Updated: 10/16/2014 1:59 pm EDT

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The tug-of-war at the Vatican over calls for the Catholic Church to be more open to gays and cohabiting couples intensified Thursday (Oct. 16) as conservative bishops sought to rein in or renounce draft language they feared might condone lifestyles not in accord with church teachings.

The lobbying at the two-week summit of church leaders -- a synod on family life that is set to wrap up Saturday with a final report -- was epitomized by the retranslation of a headline from “welcoming homosexuals persons” to “providing for homosexual persons.”

In the text, the line “Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?” was changed to, “Are we capable of providing for these people, guaranteeing…them ...a place of fellowship in our communities?”

The change in the English version was not made in Italian original where the term “accogliere,” which means “to welcome” was kept.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/catholic-gays-welcome_n_5997966.html

The Gospel does not depend on whether it's read in English or Italian.

[ColesCountyDem]

1. I'm surprised it went that well, frankly.

I well remember my own denomination's struggle with the LGBT question in the late'70s and early '80s. Thanks be to God (no sarcasm intended), the voices of reason, compassion and Christian love 'carried the day', and today we are a welcoming, affirming denomination.

The struggle will continue, rug, and God will open the hearts and mind of the Church.

[rug]

2. How's your pastor search going?

[ColesCountyDem]

3. It's going well, thank you!

We received an overwhelming vote of confidence from the congregation for our recommendation about compensation, education, doctrinal 'soundness', etc.-- 98 votes 'yes' to 4 votes 'no'.

We're now in the process of compiling a congregational profile, worship profile, missions profile and job description, which we expect to complete in a few weeks and transfer to a CD. We will then list the opening (solicit resumes) in both our regional and national publications, and await replies.

[rug]

4. That's pretty thorough.

All the best on getting a good fit. We're stuck with whoever they send.

[ColesCountyDem]

5. Thank you! There are times when I think having a bishop MIGHT be a good thing.

We're American (Northern) Baptists, so we're very democratic/anti-authoritarian. On the whole, it works out well, because it decentralizes power and makes individuals feel empowered and valuable. That said, there are occasions when I wish there were someone to just say, "Look, this what you're going to do about X".

[rug]

6. Oh I used to know someone whos father was an American Baptist minister.

He had a church in Hancock, New York, on the upper Delaware River. He told me the history of the Church,

[ColesCountyDem]

7. It's an interesting history.

The American Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention are virtually polar opposites on a vast number of issues. The 'schism'/split predated the Civil War by 20+ years, and arose primarily because of slavery, the role of women in the church and the separation of church and state.

[okasha]

8. The RCC is recapitulating

step-for-step the struggle many other denominations have already lived through. The only question is how long the hardliners can hold out against both Pope and people.

Francis has already begun fighting back. He's made an example of Burke in less than 24 hours. That should give the red robes something to think about, starting with who's next.

[rug]

9. They're going to call a synod consisting of all bishops after this one is over.

I hope his health holds so he can continue to knock some heads together.

[okasha]

10. So do I.

He seems really energetic and determined. If I had to bet, I'd put money on Cordileone as the next head to be knocked.

[rug]

11. That guy is way overdue.

ad making him Archbishop of San Francisco was just insulting.

[okasha]

12. Maybe Francis could asign him to preach to the birds.

The ravens in Barrow, Alaska, for example.

[rug]

13. Lol, I can picture it.