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Pope Francis sought to chart a merciful route when it comes to the Catholic Church’s acceptance of gays, but instead seems to have found his navigation compass somewhat impaired. At Vatican City it is apparent that the Catholic bishops scrapped their almost landmark welcome of gays, now revealing what some of us may not be so surprised to see, a deep division – a rift – as large as an ocean, dividing one continent of thought from another.

The revised paragraph had said “people with homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and delicacy.” But the paragraph failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass.

It wasn’t clear, though, if the 118-62 vote on the gay section was more a protest by progressive bishops who refused to back the watered-down wording. The revised paragraph had deleted the words of acceptance of gays’ sexual orientation and acknowledgement that gay unions can provide “precious support” to partners that had been contained in the draft.

Francis insisted in the name of transparency that the full document — including the paragraphs that failed to pass — be published along with the voting tally. The document will serve as the basis for future debate leading up to another meeting of bishops next October.

“It wasn’t clear, though, if the 118-62 vote on the gay section was more a protest by progressive bishops who refused to back the watered-down wording.”

Melanie:   [email protected]
@melanienathan1

Lest we forget:  http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/04/20/ugandan-catholic-easter-message-calls-for-genocide-of-gays/