Pope Francis Apologizes for Offensive Remark Towards Gay Men
Pope Francis has issued an apology following reports that he used highly derogatory language towards gay men. The Vatican released a statement clarifying that the Pope did not intend to offend anyone and apologized to those who were “hurt by the use of a word.”
Incident at the Italian Bishops’ Conference
During a private meeting at the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the Pope reportedly said that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood. He added that an air of “frociaggine” was already an extremely offensive slur. Although this meeting was private, it has been widely reported.
Vatican’s Response
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See, addressed the issue, saying, “Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops behind closed doors.” Bruni emphasized that the Pope never intended to use homophobic language and apologized to everyone who felt offended or hurt by his words. He reiterated the Pope’s inclusive message: “In the Church, there is room for everyone! Nobody is useless or redundant; there is room for everyone, just how we are.”
Public Reaction
The Pope’s comments were first reported by the Italian tabloid website Dagospia and were later confirmed by other Italian news agencies. The language used has shocked many, especially given Pope Francis’s history of advocating for respect towards gay people.
Progressive supporters of the Pope argue that while there has been little tangible change in gay rights within Catholicism, he has significantly changed the tone of the Church’s attitude. Early in his papacy, he made headlines by saying, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay people. Recently, he suggested that priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in certain circumstances and has frequently spoken about the welcome gay people should find in the Church.
Language and Cultural Context
Spanish-speaking defenders of the Pope note that he sometimes makes mistakes with Italian colloquialisms, which may have led to the offensive remark. They argue that despite his Italian-speaking upbringing in Argentina, he might not have fully understood the level of offense caused.
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Reaction from the LGBT Catholic Community
Marianne Duddy-Burke, head of the LGBT Catholic rights group DignityUSA, called the Pope’s reported comments “shocking and hurtful,” especially to gay priests who have faithfully served the Church. She told Reuters, “Unfortunately, even if intended as a joke, the Pope’s comment reveals the depth of anti-gay bias and institutional discrimination that still exist in our Church.”
In summary, Pope Francis has apologized for his offensive language towards gay men, stressing his intent to be inclusive and welcoming to all members of the Church. The incident highlights ongoing challenges and sensitivities regarding LGBT issues within the Catholic community.