A Catholic Cardinal Says Current Catholic Position Against Homosexuality is Wrong



A European Cardinal, Bishop Hollerich, told a reporter that current teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality is based on views that have been overturned by science and sociology. He says current teaching is "wrong." He also used the word "false."

His comments give insight into what can be expected in a world-wide gathering to take place on Germany in 2023. It is given the religious term, "synod." Papers to be presented at the synod are now being written and will be discussed. The signals already out there tell us it will give justification to abandon the church's archaic prejudice against gay people. It may undermine anti-abortion as well. 

The Cardinal's remarks make perfect sense. Material in the Bible was written in ancient times. Only by studying the context of those times can a reader surmise the authors back then had in mind. The Cardinal makes the point that homosexual acts were considered part of Paganism. That is why they were frowned upon. It was not because they were prejudged by an invisible deity to be "sin."

The Cardinal also pointed out the ancients believed the male's sperm contained a complete human that was then placed into the female. This, of course, we all know not to be true. But it remains the basis for strange notions of sin and sex. 

Holding on to the old and false notions has a political constituency in all of the Christian faith including the Catholic branch.  Bringing the faith up to date also has a political constituency such as those represented by Cardinal Hollerich. A marvelous confrontation between the two is coming up in the synod of 2023. From what has appeared in the press so far, we will see sound and reasoned views coming from those who want to save the faith for future generations. No doubt we will see blind allegiance to the past conservatives who see no obligation to save the faith.

The coming synod in Germany will maintain the steady course the Pope has followed. I recall he was not in favor of this synod. Yet, it will fall into his pattern of thinking. That pattern is to recognize there will never be agreement within the church on all manner of religious issues. That being the case, the Catholic Church of the future will not choose the ONE acceptable view with all others being heresy. Instead, several views will find a way to coexist.   

The one coming out of the gate in Europe is that priests will be allowed to give some manner of "blessing" to gay couples--maybe it will be blessing the couple but not the marriage per se. Gay priests will be welcomed as well. Hang on to your hat, it's going to be fun.

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