WICHITA— Pope Francis has become the first pontiff to endorse same-sex civil unions. The comments drew cheers from gay Catholics and demands for clarification from conservatives, given the Vatican’s official teaching on the issue.
Bishop Carl Kemme of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita issued a statement on the Diocese website regarding Pope Francis' remarks.
"As reported October 21, 2020, Pope Francis is being reported to have expressed support of same-sex civil unions in a documentary entitled “Francesco,” in order to express pastoral concern for individuals and groups who experience discrimination as a result of sexual orientation.
I have not seen that documentary nor the full text of what Pope Francis reportedly said and in the absence of clarification from the Vatican, I encourage the people of God to prayerful serenity.
While the Pope’s comments may engender a certain degree of alarm and confusion, it is good to point our attention to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which clearly proclaims that marriage is between one man and one woman, as indicated by natural law and biblical truth.
The Pope is not altering doctrine, nor is he legitimizing homosexual acts, which also the Catechism teaches are gravely sinful. I believe that Pope Francis is reminding us of the respect and dignity all people deserve, including those with same sex attraction."
Bishop Gerald Vincke of Salina Diocese issued a similar statement. The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph did not issue a statement except to write on their web site, "We are aware of Pope Francis’ recent comments on same-sex civil unions. Since the comments were in the context of a documentary and not in the form of expressing an official teaching of the Catholic Church, we will await an official response and clarification from the Vatican before offering further comment from the diocese."
The Pope's remarks came in the documentary which premiered at the Rome Film Festival. In the documentary, the pope says: “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family.
They are children of God." Francis says a civil union law is needed because "that way they are legally covered.” While archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages but had never come out publicly in favor of civil unions as pope.