Under Francis’ papacy, there have been increasing signs that the question of married priests could come under serious discussion. Now, Pope Francis has said it himself, publicly. Priest celibacy not a dogma - pope Pope Francis on Monday said he…
Monthly Archives: May 2014
IDAHO - in Deep Blue, Surrey Market Town.
Driving through one of the two shopping streets in the small market town in Surrey where I live, I was surprised last week to see that one of the shops had sprouted three rainbow flags. That’s a deep blue corner…
How Can There be Frank Discussion, in a Climate of Fear?
Ever since his election last year, Pope Francis has caught the popular imagination with his message of inclusion, mercy and hope. This has been particularly notable, for LBGT Catholics, beginning with the celebrated simple line, “Who am I to judge?”…
Celibacy and Gay Catholics, Ex- gay Ministry - and a Genuine, Viable “Third Way”
Popes, Cardinal Kasper agree: Celibacy is difficult. In my previous post, I described how Pope John Paul II wrote that celibacy, although a great spiritual gift, is difficult, and should not be undertaken unless it comes with the special grace…
Two Popes and a Cardinal, on the Problems With Celibacy.
At the heart of Catholic teaching on sexuality, is the principle that every sexual act must be open to procreation. This simple premise, so deeply embedded in all church documents on the subject, is fraught with difficulties for all Catholics,…
‘The Third Way’: A Depressing Study in Catholic, Ex-Gay Propaganda.
When I wrote recently about my anger at a video on a supposed “Third Way” in Catholic teaching on homosexuality that has been widely praised by some (conservative) Catholic writers, I knew nothing at all about the background to the…
Jeremy Benthams’ 18th C Biblical Defence of Homosexuality!
When modern writers suggest that the traditionally hostile interpretations of the Bible and homosexuality may be a misinterpretation or distortion of the real biblical message, defenders of the traditional view regularly allege that we are attempting to twist the supposedly…
Senior Bishop: We Need Frank Discussion - Without Taboos
A notable feature of Pope Francis’ style, has been his willingness to listen to people and their troubles, not simply to lecture them on Church teaching. One of his Italian protegés has said that approach to apply particularly to the…
Pansies for IDAHO
IDAHO (the day) is May 17th. With delightfully thoughtful timing, Idaho (the state) yesterday had it’s constitutional ban on gay marriage struck down. (One after another, US judges who have been called to rule on the subject, have found after…
IDAHO: “Accept one another just as Christ accepted you”
IDAHO (the day) refers to International Day Against Homophobia, which will be commemorated this Saturday, 17th May. In London, the major faith event to mark the day will be the workshops “Living in Prophetic Hope“, at St Martin in the…
