In “Advent is New Beginnings,” the topic revolves around Pope Francis, who exclaimed his famous remark with regard to homosexuality: Who am I to judge? Whereas said statement by Pope Francis has earned him critical acclaim from circles who perceive his progressiveness in finally changing the traditionally conservative direction of the Catholic Church on homosexuality, it is nevertheless an ambiguous one. Said statement did not include an express statement by Pope Francis stating a definite stand on homosexuality and at the same time, he did not place his leadership on an affirmative stance towards urging the entire Catholic Church to embrace it as a reality (Ambrosino).
Formally addressing the matter, however, is the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family organized by Pope Francis and held between October 5 and October 19 this year. The current synod – a term describing the assembly of bishops, seeks to address whether the Catholic Church finally embraces homosexuality as a reality, alongside other issues such as abortion, birth control and re-marriage, among many others. Nonetheless, the breakpoint moment many expect the synod to be is something that should not be anticipated right away, given the sensitivity of the issues involved require a careful perusal in relation to the doctrine of the Catholic Church. Is the document really a “step forward” for the Catholic Church (Ambrosino)?
A closer investigation shows that the synod, which involves a 14-page document called the “relatio post disceptationem,” does not even indicate that the Catholic Church is explicitly supporting the idea of same-sex marriage, which it even cites as one ridden with “moral problems” (Ambrosino). Nonetheless, the fact that the Catholic Church did not speak of homosexuality in ill terms is, in itself, a significant development the synod has raised. The synod is considered a progression in its own right, as it considers same-sex marriage as among the “positive elements” to homosexual relationships, which is deemed a rather “imperfect” form of love (Ambrosino).
It is much more prudent to conclude that the Catholic Church may be moving carefully not to consider a radical switch in its doctrine in a bid to keep its integrity as a religion, but it is nonetheless a welcome change that Pope Francis himself recognizes, for the first time among high officials of the Catholic Church, that homosexuality is something that should not be looked down upon. Whether such merely holds to a personal view of Pope Francis or one that signifies radical reforms is something that needs to be deliberated by the synod. Nonetheless, Pope Francis gave hope to advocates of same-sex marriage that, at last, their rights are slowly yet surely recognized by the Catholic Church, perhaps their greatest adversary in centuries.
At the same time, however, it is highly difficult to assume that homosexuality is now widely considered as a reality not just by Pope Francis himself, but also by other officials of the Catholic Church. It is possible to look at the angle of power struggles within the Catholic Church itself, particularly that within Vatican City, although it is also absurd at the same time to magnify the entire issue of homosexuality and other radical issues the synod has discussed in such a manner that would condemn the legitimacy of Pope Francis and his supporters. More so, the Catholic Church is careful not to place itself in a position of compromise without appearing archaically oppressive at the same time.
Works Cited
Ambrosino, Brandon. Why Catholic Bishops Are Meeting In Rome To Discuss Same-Sex Marriage. Vox, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
