The Archbishop Of San Francisco Responds To Pope Francis’ Endorsement Of Same-Sex Civil Unions
The Archbishop of San Francisco, who has long been in opposition to same-sex marriages, has responded to Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions.
Pope Francis supported the marriage of same-sex couples, a right that is legal in the state of California and across the United States. In ‘Francesco,’ a documentary that premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival, the Pope said, “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God.”
“You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this,” Pope Francis said. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
He is the first pope to endorse same-sex civil unions. His comments garnered mixed reactions among the Catholic community, including from San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone.
In a statement to ‘The San Francisco Chronicle’ Cordileone reiterated his opposition to same-sex couples marrying and said the “topic of civil unions came up in conversation” with Pope Francis last January during a visit to the Vatican.
“The Holy Father clearly differentiated between a civil arrangement which accords mutual benefits to two people, and marriage. The former, he said, can in no way be equated to marriage, which remains unique.” Cordileone said. “I would add that a civil union of this type (one which is not equated to marriage) should be as inclusive as possible, and not be restricted to two people of the same sex in a presumed sexual relationship.”
Cordileone continued, stating that “There is no reason, for example, why a brother and a sister, both of whom are unmarried and support each other, should not have access to these kinds of benefits.”
He said that marriage is “unique because it is the only institution that connects children to their mothers and fathers, and therefore is presumed to be a sexual relationship.”
“The nature of marriage, the place of sex within a virtuous life, these great teachings of the Church come to us from God, are illuminated by reason, and do not change,” Cordileone said.
He has been quoted as saying “the ultimate attack of the Evil One is the attack on marriage.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
Pope Francis Endorses Civil Union Laws For Same Sex Couples
Pope Francis To Parents Of LGBT+ Children: “God Loves Your Children As They Are”
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Pope Francis: “Do Not Condemn LGBT+ Children”
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