Cardinal Dolan: Pope wants to understand—not endorse—civil-union proposals
March 10, 2014
In a television interview aired March 9, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan said that Pope Francis wants the Church to understand the campaign for legal recognition of same-sex unions.
Appearing on the NBC program “Meet the Press,” Cardinal Dolan said that in a recent Italian interview, Pope Francis was not indicating that the Church would favor civil-union proposals. “It wasn’t as if he came out and approved them,” the cardinal said. “He said, ‘Rather than quickly condemn them, let’s just ask the questions as to why that has appealed to certain people.’”
A spokesman for the Holy See, Father Thomas Rosica, agreed, saying: “The Pope did not choose to enter into debates about the delicate matter of gay civil unions.” In an interview that appeared last week in Corriere della Sera, when he was questioned about civil unions, the Pope replied: “You have to see the variety of cases and evaluate them in their variety.”
During his “Meet the Press” appearance, Cardinal Dolan said that he “would have no sense of judgment” about Michael Sam, the aspiring professional football player who has said that he is homosexual. Cardinal Dolan observed that “the same Bible that tells us that teaches us well about the virtues of chastity and the virtue of fidelity and marriage also tells us not to judge people.” He concluded: “So I would say, Bravo.”
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Further information:
- Pope Francis wants church to study civil unions, Cardinal Dolan says (Yahoo)
- Dolan: Pope Francis may visit sex-abuse victims (New York Post)
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Mar. 11, 2014 2:51 AM ET USA
Bravo? I missed the Cardinal's "Meet the Press" appearance. What exactly was he saying bravo to?
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Posted by: seewig -
Mar. 11, 2014 12:13 AM ET USA
It seems to me we are veering into a pacifying and non-controversial era with Pope Francis. Now, this may not be his true intent, but this is what it effectively has become. My question is: is this being done on account of the Truth and clarity? Don't our leaders see where that leads to? We can't and never will satisfy the opponents and the media. They are our sworn enemies until the Catholic Church is totally destroyed. And without the Lord's promise I would believe that's where we are heading.
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Posted by: seewig -
Mar. 10, 2014 11:55 PM ET USA
“So I would say, Bravo.” To what? To one more case highlighting the "disordered" relationship? To become an idol, "endorsed", as it seems by Cardinal Dolan? Cardinal Dolan knows what the Bible says, so why quote only a convenient part? Because, otherwise the media would turn away from him? The media would not "like" him anymore? To avoid controversy? What would Jesus have answered? Not That I don't realize that Cdl Dolan is not Jesus. As we observe media attacks every day, this is no consolation
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Posted by: -
Mar. 10, 2014 9:18 PM ET USA
Yet another clarification needed? Why cannot Card Dolan speak candidly and bluntly about the evil of sodomy instead of his usual jollity and desire to please his interviewer?
