#Italian Bishop's Conference

[thepastisalreadywritten]

By Devin Watkins

17 December 2023

[thebeast-dennis-etcetera]

Safe and Sound

“Sweetheart, if you keep running like that, you’re gonna fall,” you advised your overly confident 4 year old as she raced through the squad room. Sure enough, just as she was about to turn the corner, her feet got tripped up and she took a small tumble. Nothing you were worried about but Tony had just happen to see and your daughter knew that if she started crying, he would come running. So that’s what she did.

“Oh no, did that evil carpet trip you?” Tony picked her up off the floor and sat her on his hip, wiping her crocodile tears away. You made your way over, smiling and setting a box of take out on your husband’s desk.

“She’s got you wrapped around her little finger Tony. All she wants are those Italian crackers you keep in your desk.”

“Crackahs,” your daughter mimicked, proving your point.

“Ah yes. The cracker tax will be paid, fear not young padawan,” Tony told her while setting her down in his desk chair and opening up his drawer to pull out the little stash. You shook your head and smiled as your toddler happily munched on her favorite snack, dropping crumbs all over Tony’s desk.

“Where’s Jethro?” you asked, also noticing the other missing agents.

“He’s with Bishop questioning some lady who might know where our suspect is hiding. Been gone a while, shouldn’t be too long of a wait.”

Jethro had told you their day was a bit slow since they hadn’t had any new leads so you decided to surprise him for a late lunch. You knew he wouldn’t want to leave the office so you brought food from his favorite Chinese restaurant. Figured you 3 could eat in the conference room or something.

“Oh, would you look at that. Bishops calling me now.” He picked up the phone while sitting at the edge of his desk. “Your ears must be burning Bishop-

He stopped his joking as his face got serious, catching your attention.

“What happened?….Did he get away?…..What hospital?”

You hoped to God they weren’t talking about Jethro as your worst nightmare started playing in your head.

“Alright. I’ll grab Ducky and Palmer and meet you there.”

He hung up the phone and you waited for his next words.

“The suspect was hiding out at the house. He shot Gibbs in the shoulder but he’s fine. They brought him to Sibley Memorial.”

Without another word, you were out of your seat and scooping your daughter up before heading for the elevator.

————

“Where we going mommy?” your little girl asked from the backseat as you drove.

“We’re gonna go see Daddy sweetheart. But we gotta be really gentle when we see him because he just got a big ouchies on his shoulder, ok?”

“Ok. How come Daddy got an ouchies?”

“Sometimes he gets ouchies when he’s working. Remember the ouchie he had on his knee?”

“From the bad guys!” she resolved proudly.

“That’s right. But don’t worry. Daddy got the bad guy.”

“Yay!”

She didn’t ask anymore questions after that thankfully. Sometimes it was difficult explaining Jethro’s job but she actually understood a lot of it, making it easier. She got all the smarts from Jethro you’re sure of it.

Once you arrived, you headed straight for the nurses station.

“Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He’s my husband, I believe he was brought in a little bit ago.”

The nurse typed a bit on the computer before nodding. “Looks like he just came out of surgery. Room 323. Third floor.”

You showed her your ID and received your visitors sticker, your daughter taking it immediately to stick it on herself. Then the two of you made your way through the hospital till you found his room. You were surprised when you saw him out of bed, buttoning up his dress shirt.

“Leaving against medical advice again Jethro?”

He looked up surprised and gave that half grin when he saw you two.

“Daddy!”

Your daughter dropped your hand and raced over to him as he crouched down to her level.

“Remember be gentle honey,” you reminded before she reached out for a hug.

Jethro picked her up easily with his good arm and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

“How’s my princess? You learn anything new at school?”

“We did numbers. And colors!”

“Wow. You are so smart, you know that? You’ll be taking Uncle McGee’s job before you know it.”

You just watched the two of them have their conversation with a smile. She loved talking with her dad. Whether it was about her favorite show or asking him what every one of his woodworking tools did. She was definitely more of a daddy’s girl than mommy’s. But you loved it. You loved the way Jethro’s face lit up everytime he saw her. He could be having the worst day at work and she would be the one to make him crack a smile.

“And mommy got you food,” she continued.

“She did? Well I’m hungry as a bear. And if I don’t eat something soon, I just might eat you!”

She squealed in laughter as he gave her kisses and walked over to you.

“You gave me quite a fright today Mr. Gibbs,” you chastened as he set your daughter down.

“I’m sorry about that Mrs. Gibbs. I’ll try harder not to.”

You two kissed deeply, happy that his injury wasn’t too severe and he was safe.

“Did I hear my daughter correctly when she said you bought me food?” he mumbled against your lips.

“Mm-hm. It’s at the office. Room temperature, just how you like it.”

He chuckled and gave you another kiss before taking your daughter’s hand in his and leading the way out of the hospital.

[nerdygaymormon]

Did you hear about the pope saying an anti-gay slur when talking with catholic bishops? I thought he was a good guy. What do you think about this?

At a conference for Italian bishops, the Pope was asked if gay men who remain celibate should be allowed to enter seminary to train for the priesthood. The Pope answered that there was already too much "frociaggine" in seminaries. The Italian word "frociaggine" is a slur and can be translated into English as "faggotry."

It was surprising to hear Pope Francis said this given the perception he is friendly towards the queer community.

Pope Francis apologized for using that term and we have to remember that Italian is a second language to him so he may not have understood the severity of that word.

Also, we can't forget that Pope Francis has changed the tone and made some positive steps forward in the Catholic Church. Previously the Catholic Church didn't let priests bless the marriages of gay couples, but Pope Francis said that the Church considers sexual relations inside of marriage to be legitimate and the Church shouldn't limit the unconditional power of God's love. The Church still considers gay couples to be an "irregular" situation but wants to make the Church's practices more good for the soul so it deepens people's relationship with God.

Pope Francis wanted church members to have a better experience and not feel shunned or pushed away. It was a change to the pastoral approach…but not to becoming a pastor.

It was surprising to me to hear Pope Francis say gay men shouldn't become priests. He was reiterating the policy of the Catholic Church which since 1961 has not allowed homosexual men to enter seminary and enter the priesthood. There is a perception among more conservative elements of the Catholic Church that there is a problematic gay subculture at seminaries which they've worked to eradicate.

However, if all Catholic priests are to be celibate, it shouldn't matter whether they are gay or straight. Many estimates are that 40-60% of celibate priests are gay, of course, exact numbers are difficult since most are closeted. Without gay men, there would be far fewer priests and seminarians. We know a lot of gay men have become Catholic priests, and how much better for them would it be if they didn't have to hide a secret in order to do so, and this is probably what prompted the question asked to the Pope.

Back in the day when being gay was not accepted by society or Christianity, gay men & women could escape questions about why aren't they dating or married by taking shelter in the priesthood or nunnery. I'm sure some closeted gay Catholics still seek to become priests and nuns, but since being gay is more acceptable by society, my guess is far fewer seek this path than in the past.

The world is changing, and slowly the Catholic church is, too, and Pope Francis has helped push them forward on the path of change. Perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future they'll change their policy on forbidding gay priests.

[head-post]

Pope Francis accused of using homophobic slur again

Pope Francis has again used a derogatory term for gay people in a private meeting where he is said to have reiterated the need for caution against priests, The Independent reports.

The initial outrage came after the head of the Catholic Church used the Italian word “frociaggine” at a conference of Italian bishops on May 20, where one of the topics of discussion was whether celibate gay men should be allowed to train for the priesthood in Catholic seminaries.

The Pope reportedly said that some seminaries already have too much frociaggine – which translates as “f*****ness” – in response to suggestions that gays should be allowed to train for the priesthood in Catholic seminaries. The 87-year-old pontiff is said to have spoken out against the idea, saying that while it was important to accept everyone, it could lead to a person leading a double life.

A Vatican apology published later claimed that “the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms.” Several bishops in the audience at the time told Italian newspapers that the pontiff may not have realised the expression was offensive.

New incident

Francis is now accused of repeating the insult in a private meeting on Tuesday.

According to the Italian news agency Ansa and the Catholic website Silere Non Possum, which claims to have a recording of his meeting with 200 young priests, Francis told the priests that “there is an atmosphere of frociaggine in the Vatican.”

Asked about the latest report, the Vatican press office referred to a statement released about Tuesday’s meeting with priests in which the Pope reiterated the need to welcome gays into the Church and caution about them becoming priests.

The Pope had previously been seen as taking a somewhat less hostile stance towards the LGBT+ community than his predecessors.

In 2013, Pope Francis said gay people should not be marginalised and told reporters:

If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?

Last year, the Pope approved a decree allowing priests to bless same-sex couples – but not in the context of marriage, civil unions or ordinary church rituals. The Vatican has said the Church has no right to bless same-sex unions because God cannot “bless sin.”

However, the Pope said in a letter in 2023:

We cannot be judges who only deny, push back, exclude.

Asked about Francis’s initial use of the slur on May 20, a spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales previously said:

Echoing the consistent message of the Synod and this papacy, the Catholic Church is a place of welcome for all.

Read more HERE

[noreligionisgood]

When reports spread that Pope Francis had used an offensive anti-gay slur while speaking to Italian bishops at a conference last month, many Catholics were both shocked and baffled. How could a pope known for his openness to and acceptance of L.G.B.T.Q. people use homophobic slang and caution prelates about admitting gay men into seminaries?

But the question, and the apparent inconsistency in Francis’ messaging, reflect the deep contradictions and tensions that underlie the Roman Catholic Church’s and Francis’ relationship to homosexuality.

The church holds that “homosexual tendencies” are “intrinsically disordered.” When it comes to ordination, the church’s guidelines state that people with “deep-seated” gay tendencies should not become priests.

Yet ordination has also long been a refuge of sorts for homosexual Catholic men, according to researchers and priests, who say that at least thousands of clergymen are gay, though only a few are public about their sexual orientation because of the stigma it still carries in the church.

‘Contradictions’ or hypocrisy?

[gryffindorhealer]

WIP tag

Thanks for the tag @takearisk-ao3 Y'all gotta keep tagging me in this kind of stuff cause it really lights a fire under my butt to write.

Rules:

List the titles your top five priorities for WIP updates (link your fics for new readers!) An upcoming scene, event, or detail in each fic that you’re looking forward to writing Bonus: make a poll for your followers to vote on which top 5 WIP they are most excited to see an update on! Then tag 10 writer friends!

Top 5 priorities for WIPs Well. Hmm. This may depend on the way one defines Work in Progress. Partly this is due to me not starting to post a fic (multichapter, specifically) until the first draft is done, and I'm done editing enough chapters to stay ahead of the curve. I made this decision some time back; far too much time for my taste elapsed between Proposals Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.

That said, the work I'm currently posting is Mystic Dream. I posted Chapter 15 yesterday (1 March), and this is a bit past the numerical halfway point. It's a crossover: Ginny and Harry Potter are on a quiet bus-man's holiday with the boys off to Hogwarts and their daughter staying with her grandparents. She's interviewing American magical athletes for a book she's working on, he's attending an International Law Enforcement conference (with a magical, secret track). What could go wrong? Obviously, something, and since there's a dead American sailor involved, so is Special Agent In Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs of NCIS. The question is, post a snippet, or a link, or both? It's a WiP in this sense; it's finished (or mostly, minor edits may or might not be happening), and I'm posting one chapter a week.

Snippet, I think. After all, I linked to the fic in the Posting Friday post. In this chapter, they are at a formal dinner-dancing event, and Harry's just asked Ginny how she likes her dinner selection:

She shrugged, ‘It’s good. Not sure Mum would approve of it, but then she doesn’t cook many Italian dishes.’ She winked at him. ‘Doesn’t match your lasagna.’

‘Mr. Potter cooks?’ Bishop blanched slightly at the surprise in her voice, particularly when Patil, Mags, and Gary all exclaimed.

‘His breakfasts are to die for,’ Mags exclaimed, curved fingers touching her lips in a chef’s kiss.

‘He’s surprisingly good at barbecue as well,’ added Patil. Gary chuckled at the expression on Bishop’s face.

‘I can make a passable meal, but Harry’s the cook in our family. You should hear our children complain when he’s home but I make dinner,’ Ginny laughed. Bishop looked at Harry, who shrugged.

‘Benefit of a misspent youth, I suppose,’ he said, grinning, then attacked his steak and kidney pie.

Now, for other priorities, if you call plotting and researching (plus all the other bits and pieces involved in writing) as Work in Progress, I've got three others I'm working on.

Skyclad: I hinted at this one in a later chapter of Dreaming a Life, when Luna visits the Potters at their home in Wales. Luna and Rolf decided it's finally time (what with twins and all) to formally declare their relationship. And, Luna being Luna, it's happening on actual Midsommer's Day, in a very traditional ceremony, that requires a very specific dress code. Or, would it be more accurate to say, undress code…

It's mostly notes so far. Here's a paragraph that is written:

If someone flying a small, private airplane at no great altitude along the western shoreline of Cymyran Bay, even being attentive to their surroundings so as not to collide with either other airplanes or birds, they might well see a small family step out of their brick cottage. They might see a very pretty woman walking with a toddler, both of them with fiery red hair that rivaled the lowering sun. Behind her might be walking a russet-haired boy, waving some toy (possibly a spaceship?) through the air as he walked. And not far behind them, a handsome man with another, younger boy, both of them with a shock of messy raven-black hair. All of them appeared to be wearing dressing gowns. This might bring the pilot of this airplane to presume the smaller building they walked towards, which resembled some far-eastern house or pavilion, to be a bath house.

A Scene I'm looking forward to writing for this one:

Well, I don't want to spoiler too much. There are two. The scene when Harry discovers exactly what the dress code is. And the scene after the ceremony, when Ginny gets to point out to him that yes, once again, she's right.

The next one is Loving Vigil:

Still quite newlyweds, Ginny's busy with the Harpies and Harry's on limited duty after a run-in on a mission with Kedavra Hornets. So he's charged by both Gawain Robards Head Auror, and Kingsley Shacklebolt Minister of Magic, to oversee the training of a new Corps for the Aurors. Field Healer Corps. He doesn't need to teach the Healing parts, because Minister Shacklebolt arranged for an expert in that to help, Gary Gillies, RCMP (Royal Canadian Magical Police) Field Healer. Here's the start:

In a world known for people accepting some rather outlandish clothing, he stood out like a sore thumb.

He strode out of the floo absolutely unphased by the spinning effects of the travel, the heels of the knee-high brown boots (so highly polished they reflected the aged oak floor of the Ministry Atrium) tapping a drum-like cadence as he marched towards the Security Check-in, silver un-rowled spurs flashing in the morning light. Midnight blue breeches flared wide above those boots, a yellow stripe running up the outside of both legs. His scarlet red serge tunic robe caught a number of eyes, all shiny brass buttons and gold badges at the corners of the high collar. Only a few individuals spotted the badges on both epaulettes; a crown over a caduceus. He nodded a friendly greeting to those that caught his eyes, even with his quite businesslike demeanor.

There are a few scenes in this one I'm looking forward to writing, including when Harry brings his new associate and his partner/wife along to Ginny's first birthday party after they've tied the knot.

Third,

Kreacher: He's one of my favorite characters, one that truly does have a redemption arc in canon. When Harry promises to do what Kreacher could not and complete his beloved Master Regulus' last order to destroy the Evil Locket, when he gifts Kreacher the decoy locket, Kreacher finds he can truly respect this new Master. What Kreacher never expected (since the need never arose in his long lifetime in service to the House of Black), is his Master ordering Kreacher to teach Master about the ins and outs of Magical Society that Hogwarts doesn't teach. It's a difficult assignment, someone has to do it, and Kreacher's been ordered to do so.

I'm still outlining the Professor Kreacher stories, but you can see Kreacher featuring in six of my stories, stipulating that one of those is a crossover AU. This still means in five of them, this lovable curmudgeon plays some part in moving things along. In Eloped - Sort Of I wrote his first appearance, and hinted at much more to come.

Kreacher looked around as the Colours in the walls began to glow a tad brighter. “Seven generations of the House of Black Kreacher served, and now the first of Potter-Black.” Stretching a bit to ease the aches in his joints, brought on no doubt by the day of rain, the thought that with a bit of luck he would see the next generation arrive for him to serve warmed his bones. He resumed his walk to his room, looking at the portraits with which Master Harry had replaced the heads of the previous House Elves of the House of Black. He nodded to himself, pleased that Master found a means to honor the service of Kreacher's predecessors. It seemed odd, perhaps, that Master did not like being called that, but Sir sufficed to show proper respect for the Head of House. “Kreacher has served the Dead long enough. It feels good to serve Life again.”

Scene I'm looking forward to writing? Kreacher's reaction when ordered by Harry to teach him. There's just so much opportunity for a House Elf to dread needing to correct, and therefore offend his Master of the House.

Sorry, no poll. I'm not particularly enamored of them.

Tags: Right, here are some (maybe not the required number) @ginnyw-potter (because you tagged me too), @takearisk-ao3 @whinlatter @johnmchacker @nuninho2000 @rmwb-fanfics

[thedepartmentofdiscoveries]

I just read this online which sounds unbelievable but it's not:

Pope John Paul II is said to have given his blessing to the Pokémon franchise in 2000. The main reasons for this were that he believed the games did not have "any harmful moral side effects" and were based on "ties of intense friendship." The Vatican-based satellite TV station, Sat2000, which was run by the Italian Bishops' Conference, also described the game as "full of inventive imagination." The station further noted that Pokémon encourages its young players to think creatively to overcome challenges without resorting to violence. It was also mentioned that the game tells simple stories that allow children to immerse themselves directly into the story through role-playing adventures.

And someone made this Watchmen meme for it lol:

This still doesn't mean this Pope was a Saint though as we all know.

[bylagunabay]

Mercy for the Holy Souls

PRAYER FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY DICTATED BY JESUS TO MARIA VALTORTA

Letter of October 24, 1944 (1-min to pray)

I write everything that Jesus dictates. Pray for them like this:

“Oh Jesus! that with your glorious Resurrection you have shown us how the 'children of God' will be eternally, grant the holy resurrection to our loved ones, deceased in your Grace, and to us, in our hour.

By the sacrifice of your Blood, by the tears of Mary, by the merits of all the Saints, open your Kingdom to their spirits.

Oh Mother! whose affliction ended with the Easter dawn before the Risen One and whose wait to reunite with your Son ceased in the joy of your glorious Assumption, console our pain by freeing those we love from sorrows even beyond death, and pray for us as we wait for the time to find the embrace of those we lost.

Martyrs and Saints who are jubilant in Heaven, direct a supplicating look to God, and a fraternal look at the deceased who expiate, to pray to the Eternal for them and to say to them: 'Behold, peace opens for you'.

Beloved, so dear, not lost but separated, may your prayers be for us the kiss we long for, and when by our suffrages you will be free in blessed Paradise with the Saints, protect us by loving us in Perfection, united to us by the invisible, active , loving Communion of Saints, anticipation of the perfect reunion of the 'blessed' that will grant us, in addition to enjoying the vision of God, finding you as we had you, but sublimated by the glory of Heaven.”

- Ecclesiastical approval granted by Monsignor Roman Danylak

 Note on the Position of the Church on the Works of Maria Valtorta:

The latest (and currently juridically binding) position of the Church is represented by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s decision in 1992 to explicitly give permission to Dr. Pisani at the Centro Editoriale Valtortiano (the publishing house of Maria Valtorta’s works) to continue publishing her work as it is without any needed modifications to the text. Thus, the Church has given permission to the publisher to publish Valtorta’s The Gospel as Revealed to Me (also known as The Poem of the Man-God) and has given the faithful permission to read it. This action and permission also implicitly acknowledges that the work is free from error in faith and morals and may be safely read by the faithful.

 In addition to this, multiple bishops and ecclesiastical authorities have declared that her work is free of error in faith and morals after having thoroughly examined it. Not only was her work commanded to be published by Pope Pius XII in 1948, but it was approved for publication by the Holy Office in 1961 according to the testimony of Fr. Berti who dealt directly with the Holy Office at the time; and in 1992, Cardinal Ratzinger, then head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, gave permission for her work to be published. In a letter dated May 6, 1992 (Prot. N. 324-92), addressed to Dr. Emilio Pisani (the publisher of Maria Valtorta’s works), Bishop Dionigi Tettamanzi, secretary to the Italian Episcopal Conference, gave permission for the work to continue to be published for the “true good of readers and in the spirit of the genuine service to the faith of the Church.” (Pro e contro Maria Valtorta (5th Edition), Centro Editoriale Valtortiano, 2008, pp. 263-265).

(http://www.bardstown.com/~brchrys/position-of-church-on-valtorta.html)

[boricuacherry-blog]

In 2021, Pope Francis conceded that the church had failed to put the needs of victims first in what was considered to be one of his strongest condemnations of child sexual abuse in the Catholic church to date.

"There is, unfortunately, a considerable number," he said during his weekly audience at the Vatican. "I would like to express to the victims my sadness and pain for the trauma they suffered. It is also my shame, our shame, for the incapacity of the church for too long to put them at the center of its concerns."

An independent inquiry, France's first major reckoning with clerical child sexual abuse, found that an estimated 216,000 children were victims. In wake of the damning findings, Hans Zollner, a German priest and close advisor to Pope Francis, urged Italian bishops to "find the courage to investigate" clerical child abuse.

The issue has been mostly buried in Italy, and at an episcopal conference, the speech by Pope Francis was criticized by abuse victims for failing to strike the tone of taking strong action against pedophile priests. In January 2019, a UN commission condemned Italy for being complicit in protecting pedophile priests from criminal charges.

"We want an inquiry here too, but the pope has never asked for one," said Francesco Zanardi, who set up Rete l'Abuso, Italy's only network of clerical abuse victims. "The numbers in France are frightening but here we could have up to 1 million victims. Simply hearing 'I'm sorry' is laughable."

In 2021, the first clergy sexual abuse trial to be heard by the pope's criminal court took place, where the Vatican tribunal absolved Reverend Gabriele Martinelli. In 2017 former altar boys went public with allegations of misconduct by Martinelli and a cover-up by the seminary superiors. The priest was acquitted by the three-judge panel of some charges and ruled others could not be punished. The former rector of the seminary, Reverend Enrico Radice, was similarly absolved.

[bllsbailey]

Paris Olympics Organizers Apologize For Last Supper Parody (too little too late)

Opening Ceremony – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 0 PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Canadian Singer Celine Dion performs on the Eiffel Tower at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France.

The Paris 2024 organizing committee has apologized to Catholics and other Christian organizations for upsetting them with a scene at the opening ceremony that featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god of wine, evoking Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper.

The goal of the parody of the biblical scene was to interpret Dionysus and bring attention to “the absurdity of violence between human beings,” according to the organizers’ post on X.

The performance incited outrage among Catholics, Christian organizations, and conservative politicians worldwide, forcing the committee to issue an apology.

“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance,” the Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps

(too little too late) told a press conference. “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are really sorry.”

The Catholic church in France said it deplored a ceremony that “included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity”.

One of the French bishops’ delegates to the Games, Monsignor Emmanuel Gobilliard, claimed that the controversy’s aftermath had caused sleeplessness in a number of French athletes.

The most senior Catholic official in Malta and a representative of the Vatican’s influential doctrinal office, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, claimed to have complained about the “gratuitous insult” to France’s ambassador in Valletta.

What was supposed to be a celebration of French culture took an “unexpectedly negative turn, becoming a parade of banal errors, accompanied by trite and predictable ideologies,” according to the Italian bishops’ conference.

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

[christianpureofficial]

Pope Francis: In politics, Catholics cannot live a ‘private faith’

Source Pope Francis speaks at the 50th annual Social Week of Catholics in Trieste, Italy, on the morning of July 7, 2024. At his arrival in the northern Italian city, he was greeted by Archbishop Luigi Renna, president of the organizing committee (R), and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, president of the Italian bishops' conference (L). / Daniel Ibanez/CNA Rome Newsroom, Jul 7, 2024 / 08:06 am…

[pashterlengkap]

Pope Francis called out during a meeting for repeated use of anti-gay slurs

A university student from the Philippines called out Pope Francis for his repeated use of an offensive term referring to gay priests. Lorenz Acebedo, a student studying psychology at a university in Manila, used his prepared remarks at a virtual meeting with the pontiff to condemn his use of the Roman Italian word “frociaggine,” which translates loosely to “fag**try” in English. Related Pope Francis uses anti-gay f-slur while refusing to let gay men join the priesthood This is the second time in a few weeks he has used the anti-gay slur. “Stop using offensive language against the LGBTQIA+ community,” Acebedo told the Pope on Thursday. “This leads to immense pain.” Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The psychology student used his time at the video conference “Building Bridges Across Asia Pacific: A Synodal Encounter with Pope Francis and University Students” to address stigma and discrimination against marginalized communities in the Philippines. “I myself am outcasted and bullied due to my bisexuality, my gayness, my identity, and being a son of a single parent,” Acebedo shared with Francis before asking him to refrain from using the kind of hurtful language that stigmatizes LGBTQ+ people like himself. “And stop using offensive language against the LGBTQIA+ community. This leads to immense pain. Due to this, I developed bipolar disorder and I am stigmatized.” Acebedo went on to explain that Philippine culture “suppresses emotional expression. This leads to risky behaviors. The Philippines has one of the highest rates of HIV transmission and suicidal ideations in the world. These reveal how we suffer systemic discrimination.” Francis nodded thoughtfully as Acebedo spoke and waved in acknowledgment as he concluded. The Pope did not directly address his own use of “offensive language” in later remarks. The 87-year-old pontiff first used the term “frociaggine” in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops on May 20, according to sources who shared the exchange with the Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica newspapers. In a discussion about amending guidelines on candidates to seminaries, they said, the Pope asserted that gay men shouldn’t be allowed to train for the priesthood, saying there is “frociaggine” in some of the seminaries. A source close to the Pope told CNN that the term could also be understood to mean there is a “gay climate” in the seminaries under discussion. The Pope reportedly repeated the word at a meeting just two weeks later with 200 priests at Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, according to two major Italian news outlets, ANSA and Adnkronos. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the pope used the term while sharing a conversation he had with a clergy member. “A bishop came to me and told me, ‘There is too much frociaggine here in the Vatican,’” the newspaper quoted the pope as saying. The Italian newspaper also reported the Pope said, “Gay people are good guys, have nice paths of faith.” But if they sought the priesthood, he continued, they should instead be directed to a spiritual guide or “to some psychologist.” If they became priests, he added, gay men were likely to “fail while exercising their ministry.” http://dlvr.it/T8jNs9

[dankusner]

CATHOLIC CHURCH Vatican charges critic of Francis

Archbishop who called pope ‘servant of Satan’ latest to face discipline

ROME — He has called Pope Francis a liberal “servant of Satan,” demanded his resignation and suggested the Vatican’s Swiss Guards arrest the 87-year-old pontiff.

Now, after receiving years of withering verbal attacks, Francis appears to have struck back against Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former Vatican ambassador to the United States and the pope’s most ardent internal critic.

The Vatican’s disciplinary body, the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal decree, made public by Viganò on Thursday, assigning the senior cleric to a penal canon trial.

The charges: the “crime of schism” and “denial of the legitimacy of Pope Francis.”

Such trials are exceedingly rare, and the move underscores a recent effort by the Vatican to take more formal action against a gaggle of archconservatives who have sought to undermine Francis’ papacy from the inside.

Conviction could lead to Viganò’s defrocking and excommunication.

It would end the long career of the 83-year-old Italian cleric who has emerged as the leading symbol of a traditionalist resistance to a papacy perceived by him as wildly liberal.

On Thursday, Viganò said in a statement that he saw the “accusations against me as an honor.”

He referred to Francis as he always does, eschewing his official title and using his name before he was pope: Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Francis has for years tolerated open dissent, including vitriolic attacks from within clerical ranks.

But as criticism has grown louder in recent months, the Vatican has taken more decisive action.

In Texas, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler was stripped of his diocese.

And American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who frequently spoke at conservative conferences that excoriated Francis, lost his pension and Rome apartment.

It’s possible that the most severe punishment has been reserved for Viganò.

He was ordered to appear at the Vatican’s disciplinary office Thursday and told that he would be tried in absentia if he didn’t, according to document advising him of the charges.

It was not clear if he had presented himself after publicly signaling his defiance.

[novumtimes]

Pope’s Reported Use of Slur Causes “Whiplash” for Gay Catholics and Supporters

This was the pope who asked, “Who am I to judge?” in response to a question about gay priests in 2013. He announced last year that he would allow priests to bless same-sex couples, defying conservative critics in the Roman Catholic Church. And he apologized only weeks ago, in a statement from the Vatican, for using an offensive Italian term for gay men at a conference of bishops. So reports that…

[head-post]

Pope Francis uses homophobic slur in closed-doors discussion

Pope Francis used a homophobic expression during a discussion with bishops about admitting homosexual men to seminaries, Italian media reported.

Newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported on Monday that the 87-year-old pope made the homophobic remark in a private meeting a week ago when asked if gay men could study for the priesthood on the condition that they remain celibate.

Pope Francis replied they should not, and joked that there were “already too many “frociaggine” in some seminaries. The term roughly translates from English as f****.

Corriere della Sera reported that some of those present felt that the Pope, whose native language is Spanish, did not realise how offensive the word was. Political gossip website Dagospia was the first to report the alleged incident, which occurred on May 20 as the Italian Bishops’ Conference was opening its four-day assembly.

The Vatican has not commented in any way on the alleged remarks.

Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has insisted that the Catholic Church must be open to all, including the LGBTQ community. Last year he criticised laws criminalising homosexuality and later said priests could conduct blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions.

Some 67 countries or jurisdictions around the world criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which may or do have the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which is working to end such laws. Experts say that even where laws are not enforced, they contribute to persecution, stigmatisation and violence against LGBTQ people.Official Catholic Church doctrine still maintains that same-sex acts are “inherently evil.”

Read more HERE

[hesspass23]

Pope Francis Allegedly Uses Derogatory Term for Gay People

In a recent incident, Pope Francis allegedly used a derogatory term for gay people during a closed-door meeting. This article delves into the details of the incident and discusses its potential implications for the LGBTQ+ community and the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis Allegedly Uses Derogatory Term for Gay People

In a recent incident that has sparked controversy, Pope Francis is reported to have used a derogatory term for gay people during a closed-door meeting at the Italian Bishops' Conference. This revelation could have a significant impact on how his attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community is perceived. The Pope's reported comments have raised questions about his stance on gay rights and the inclusivity of the Catholic Church. In this article, we will delve into the details of the incident and discuss its potential implications.

The Incident

During the Italian Bishops' Conference, Pope Francis was asked about whether gay men should be allowed to train for the priesthood, on the condition of remaining celibate. In response, the Pope stated that they should not be permitted. However, it is alleged that he went further and used an offensive slur in Italian, referring to an "air of frociaggine" within the Church. This derogatory term has understandably caused shock and disappointment among many.

Confirmation and Reactions

Although the meeting was initially behind closed doors, the Pope's reported comments were first revealed by the Italian tabloid website Dagospia. Subsequently, other Italian news agencies have confirmed the remarks, citing multiple sources. The use of such language by Pope Francis, who has previously emphasized respect towards the LGBTQ+ community, has surprised and saddened many of his progressive supporters.

Pope Francis' Previous Statements

Pope Francis has been known for his more inclusive approach compared to some of his predecessors. Early in his papacy, when asked about gay individuals, he famously responded, "Who am I to judge?" This statement was seen as a sign of his willingness to adopt a more understanding and accepting stance towards homosexuality. He has also expressed that gay people are welcome in the Church and even suggested that priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in certain circumstances.

Contradictory Remarks

The reported derogatory remarks made by Pope Francis have contradicted his previous statements and actions, leaving many confused and disappointed. Some observers had speculated that the Pope's more inclusive rhetoric was a sign of his willingness to eventually allow gay men to train for the priesthood, as long as they remained celibate like other priests. However, the recent incident has shattered those hopes and raised questions about the sincerity of his previous statements.

Language Barrier and Cultural Context

Defenders of Pope Francis point out that he occasionally makes mistakes in Italian colloquialisms due to his primary language being Spanish. They suggest that he may not have fully understood the level of offense his words could cause, despite growing up in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina. However, this explanation does not excuse the use of derogatory language, especially from someone in such a prominent position.

Vatican's Response

The reported use of a derogatory term by Pope Francis in reference to gay people has created a wave of disappointment and concern among his supporters and the LGBTQ+ community. This incident raises questions about the Pope's true stance on gay rights and inclusivity within the Catholic Church. It remains to be seen how the Vatican will respond and whether this incident will have lasting implications for Pope Francis' reputation and the Church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. Read more