“Who Am I To Judge?” — Pope Francis’ Message On Same-Sex Marriage
In an interview with CBS News 60 Minutes, Pope Francis criticised conservative church leaders in the United States. He accused them of acting dogmatically and having a “suicidal attitude” that goes beyond simply taking tradition into account.
“Who Am I to Judge?”
When asked about his move to approve blessing same-sex couples, the Pope clarified that he did not authorise blessing their union as “that is not the sacrament”. Instead, he emphasised that blessings are “for everyone,” including individuals in same-sex unions. Francis famously said, “If someone is gay… and he searches for the Lord and has good will… who am I to judge?”
The Pope also addressed the Texas government’s effort to shut down a Catholic charity that offers humanitarian aid to undocumented migrants. He called it “sheer madness… to close the border and leave them there.” Francis stressed that each migrant must be received, and authorities can then decide how to deal with them humanely.
Pope Francis has been known for his progressive stance on LGBTQIA+ issues within the Catholic Church. In December, he approved the blessing of same-sex couples by priests, building on his earlier reforms. The Vatican stated that people in same-sex unions should not face “an exhaustive moral analysis” for receiving their blessings. A few months prior, Francis also approved a document allowing transgender people to be baptised.
Pushback from US Catholic Clergy
Despite the Pope’s efforts to create a more inclusive church, his reforms have faced pushback from some Catholic clergy in the United States. Conservative bishops have criticised his actions, but Francis remains steadfast in his belief that the church should be open to all.
