Pope Francis surprised Catholics and non-Catholics alike last week when he spoke out against the church’s attitude toward abortion and gay marriage. In an interview with “America Magazine,” Francis discussed a variety of subjects ranging from his time in Argentina to what it’s like for him to be the first Jesuit elected as bishop of Rome. What really stood out, however, were his comments about the Catholic Church and its dialogue regarding abortion and gay marriage.
“A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality,” Francis said. “I replied with another question: ‘Tell me, when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person.”
He went on to say that the confessional isn’t meant to be a “torture chamber,” and religious officials must evaluate each person case by case to determine what’s best for him or her. “I also consider the situation of a woman with a failed marriage in her past and who also had an abortion,” he said. “Then this woman remarries, and she is now happy and has five children. That abortion in her past weighs heavily on her conscience and she sincerely regrets it. She would like to move forward in her Christian life. What is the confessor to do?”
Francis said the church shouldn’t talk constantly about abortion and homosexuality because those issues need to be discussed contextually. If church officials continue to focus on a “disjointed multitude of doctrines,” he believes the institution will eventually “fall like a house of cards.” Mark Laboe, the associate vice president for DePaul’s University Ministry, said he was thrilled to hear the Pope’s comments. He believes Francis’ focus on the “human and pastoral” dimensions of the church contribute to his overall image of humility.
Laboe also said his views are deeply biblical. “All reading of the Bible involves some level of interpretation, and his perspective clearly emphasizes God’s relentless mercy and love,” he said. “I think he seeks to embody that in his words and actions, also.” Francis’ style represents a significant shift from the church’s usual thinking, according to Laboe, and it also sends a message to members of the church and those outside of it. Included in that is DePaul, he said.
“I think Pope Francis’ words and example will go a long way towards making the church and its message more relevant to us and for us here at DePaul,” he said. “Even those who are not Catholic can’t help but see how present he and his messages and actions have been in the media.” Laboe believes Francis seeks to challenge and inspire people to take action and truly embody what they believe. “St. Vincent de Paul would have liked that,” he said. “And there are people of many faiths and no faith at all who can also like that message and that example.”
Francis was elected as Pope last March. Since his papacy began, he has been known for slightly more liberal views that stand out in comparison to his predecessors’. Former Popes Benedict XVI and Jon Paul II, for example, were both openly against homosexuality.