Pope Francis is not only a holy and pious religious leader, but he is also a shrewd political strategist. Just one recent example: he saw that ordaining married men and women in the Amazon would cause more division than progress in his Church – then promptly appointed six women to top posts at the Vatican.
Furthermore, he recognises the way the wind is blowing among the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics – and wind is often a metaphor for the work of the Holy Spirit in scripture – and responds accordingly, often with a surprise “third way” that transcends conflict.
And so it is with his latest pronouncement on same-sex unions: “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God… Nobody should be thrown out or made miserable over it.
“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”
With these comments in a documentary broadcast this week, he deftly supports the equality in law of same-sex partnerships, which in love and compassion he supports, while avoiding the issue of same-sex marriage, which he doesn’t support. It’s a masterclass in staying ahead of the game.
Contrast this with the flatfooted manner in which our Church of England responded to the introduction in secular law of gay marriage in 2014.
This story is from the October 23, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 23, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jack's alright after Munich rain break
JACK DRAPER made the most of a rain delay to defeat wild card Rudolf Molleker and reach the BMW Open last eight in Munich.
GUNNERS FAIL TO FIRE AGAIN
Arteta's men go out of Europe with a whimper
KEEPER LUNIN BREAKS CITY'S HEART
Real stopper proves shoot-out hero
Mousinho proves he is special one
HIS surname is only one letter out but what John Mousinho has done for Portsmouth means just as much to their fans as anything Jose Mourinho ever did at any club for his.
If we fail, let's do it beautifully urges Klopp
JURGEN REVIVES FAMOUS BARCA MIRACLE MESSAGE
Let's hope Leverkusen heroes got hammered
MOYES BELIEVES BAYER PARTY MAY HELP HOSTS
Jealous stalker led a 'champagne lifestyle on lemonade budget'
Husband followed former wife around millionaires’ enclave
40 years on, I WILL bring Yvonne's killers to justice
THE retired police officer who cradled his shot colleague Yvonne Fletcher as she died is launching a private prosecution for conspiracy to murder against the Libyan official who plotted her shooting 40 years ago.
Dubai deluged by heaviest rain in 75 years
A MAN wades through chestdeep water as Dubai is hit by the worst rain storm in generations.
Smoking levels soaring for middle-class women
SMOKING is on the rise among middle and upper-class women under the age of 45, a study has revealed.