this is a long read but for all those who are interested, it presents the real scenero of what made the pope made such a statement and what it really means
The press is buzzing right now with claims that Pope Francis has taken a sharply different line than his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, on the subject of homosexuality.
Some are suggesting that the new pope has announced that "gay is okay."
What did Pope Francis really say, and how unusual is it?
Here are 7 things to know and share . . .

1) Where did Pope Francis make these remarks?
He made them during an 80-minute interview with reporters aboard the plane returning from World Youth Day in Brazil.

2) What was he asked that led to the remarks?
We may not know exactly what the question was until a transcript is released, but apparently, he was asked about the reputed "gay lobby" at the Vatican.
More info on that here.

3) What exactly did he say?
According to the best current accounts, he said:
There's a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I've never seen it on the Vatican ID card.
When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency [i.e., same-sex attraction] is not the problem ... they're our brothers.

4) What does this mean?
The first part of the statement seems to downplay the who "gay lobby" issue. He's not denying that there is one there, but he's suggesting that the talk is somewhat overblown.
He then explains his approach to dealing with gay people: He distinguishes between their "being gay" and "being part of a lobby."
What he means by "being gay" is something he further unpacks.
In ordinary parlance, "being gay" can mean anything from having same-sex attraction to leading an active "gay lifestyle" to endorsing and advocating a pro-homosexual ideology.
The last of these would be functioning as a member of a lobby, and he indicates that this is not what he is talking about.
He then describes those he is talking about as people who "accept the Lord and have goodwill."
He then seems to further clarify who he is talking about by saying that "The tendency [i.e., same-sex attraction] is not the problem ... they're our brothers."
Taking his statements together, what emerges is a portrait of individuals who have same-sex attraction but who nevertheless accept the Lord and have goodwill, as opposed to working to advance a pro-homosexual ideology.
This would definitely include people with same-sex attraction who strive to live chastely (even if they sometimes fail).
It also, possibly, could include individuals who are not living chastely but who are not actively lobbying a homosexual agenda. It would be nice if he'd said a little more to clarify the point further.

5) What does he say about people in this category?
He says that he does not think he is in a position to judge them and that they should not be marginalized.
He also says that the mere tendency (same-sex attraction) "is not the problem," and that "they're our brothers."

6) How new is this?
Not very.
Disclaiming a right to "judge" others is something that goes back to Jesus. It does not mean a failure to recognize the moral character of others' actions, however.
One can form a moral appraisal that what someone else is doing is wrong (Jesus obviously does not forbid that) without having or showing malice toward them.
The statement that they should not be marginalized is similarly in keeping with the Holy See's approach to the subject, as 1992 Vatican document On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.
The statement that same-sex attraction "is not the problem," when understood correctly, is also nothing new. "The problem," as Pope Francis seems to here be understanding it, is going beyond merely having a sinful tendency--a temptation to which one is subject.
Obviously, temptations are problem, but if we resist temptation we do not sin. "The problem," on this understanding, is giving into the temptation and sinning or--worse--building an ideology around the sin and trying to advocate the sin.
Finally, the statement that "they're our brothers" is also no novelty. Christians, like everyone, have struggled with every sort of temptation all through history.
Same-sex attraction is just one temptation among numerous others, and the fact that a person suffers from this temptation no more deprives him of the status of being a brother in Christ than any other temptation does.


Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-what-pope-francis-said-about-gays#ixzz2aUx6DLdG

shumax: this is a long read but for all those who are interested, it presents the real scenero of what made the pope made such a statement and what it really means
The press is buzzing right now with claims that Pope Francis has taken a sharply different line than his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, on the subject of homosexuality.
Some are suggesting that the new pope has announced that "gay is okay."
What did Pope Francis really say, and how unusual is it?
Here are 7 things to know and share . . .

1) Where did Pope Francis make these remarks?
He made them during an 80-minute interview with reporters aboard the plane returning from World Youth Day in Brazil.

2) What was he asked that led to the remarks?
We may not know exactly what the question was until a transcript is released, but apparently, he was asked about the reputed "gay lobby" at the Vatican.
More info on that here.

3) What exactly did he say?
According to the best current accounts, he said:
There's a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I've never seen it on the Vatican ID card.
When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency [i.e., same-sex attraction] is not the problem ... they're our brothers.

4) What does this mean?
The first part of the statement seems to downplay the who "gay lobby" issue. He's not denying that there is one there, but he's suggesting that the talk is somewhat overblown.
He then explains his approach to dealing with gay people: He distinguishes between their "being gay" and "being part of a lobby."
What he means by "being gay" is something he further unpacks.
In ordinary parlance, "being gay" can mean anything from having same-sex attraction to leading an active "gay lifestyle" to endorsing and advocating a pro-homosexual ideology.
The last of these would be functioning as a member of a lobby, and he indicates that this is not what he is talking about.
He then describes those he is talking about as people who "accept the Lord and have goodwill."
He then seems to further clarify who he is talking about by saying that "The tendency [i.e., same-sex attraction] is not the problem ... they're our brothers."
Taking his statements together, what emerges is a portrait of individuals who have same-sex attraction but who nevertheless accept the Lord and have goodwill, as opposed to working to advance a pro-homosexual ideology.
This would definitely include people with same-sex attraction who strive to live chastely (even if they sometimes fail).
It also, possibly, could include individuals who are not living chastely but who are not actively lobbying a homosexual agenda. It would be nice if he'd said a little more to clarify the point further.

5) What does he say about people in this category?
He says that he does not think he is in a position to judge them and that they should not be marginalized.
He also says that the mere tendency (same-sex attraction) "is not the problem," and that "they're our brothers."

6) How new is this?
Not very.
Disclaiming a right to "judge" others is something that goes back to Jesus. It does not mean a failure to recognize the moral character of others' actions, however.
One can form a moral appraisal that what someone else is doing is wrong (Jesus obviously does not forbid that) without having or showing malice toward them.
The statement that they should not be marginalized is similarly in keeping with the Holy See's approach to the subject, as 1992 Vatican document On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.
The statement that same-sex attraction "is not the problem," when understood correctly, is also nothing new. "The problem," as Pope Francis seems to here be understanding it, is going beyond merely having a sinful tendency--a temptation to which one is subject.
Obviously, temptations are problem, but if we resist temptation we do not sin. "The problem," on this understanding, is giving into the temptation and sinning or--worse--building an ideology around the sin and trying to advocate the sin.
Finally, the statement that "they're our brothers" is also no novelty. Christians, like everyone, have struggled with every sort of temptation all through history.
Same-sex attraction is just one temptation among numerous others, and the fact that a person suffers from this temptation no more deprives him of the status of being a brother in Christ than any other temptation does.


Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-what-pope-francis-said-about-gays#ixzz2aUx6DLdG

Nice justification there. I presume you are a catholic. we all are waiting for the day when a pro gay pope will be elected, at least that pope can forgive their sins and they will become full brothers able to take the sacrament. we await the man of lawlessness and the beast that will give him power

pet_saint:

Nice justification there. I presume you are a catholic. we all are waiting for the day when a pro gay pope will be elected, at least that pope can forgive their sins and they will become full brothers able to take the sacrament. we await the man of lawlessness and the beast that will give him power

Yes i am a catholic and proud of it, I am also praying that the day when a pro gay pope will be elected will never come; but even at that Gay people have never been stoped from recieving the sacraments if they lead chaste lives, the catholic church has always said having homosexual tendencies is not a sin, it is a temptation and we all face temptation, but the sin is in given in to the homosexual act. Dominus vosbiscum

na waa oooo

Just imagin[color=#990000][/color]

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

He means he is not God.

Who are we to judge when we are not God?

Instead of judging, pray for them.

my opinion sha.

What would Jesus do?

because he is not God to Judge, only God can Judge. who is man to judge a sinner when he didn't and would never die for the sinner?

He is sitting on the fence...playing safe.

The pope's message is simple : "dislike the sin and not the sinner" .... after all who amongst us is without sin??

He does not want to get himself involve in this mess called gay

It simply means he might also be a gay.(probably)
You can not be eating yam and be condemning pounded yam.

call a spade a spade Pope. all homosexuals are going to hell!!

The coming of the Antichrist is nearer than we think

he knows he is a gay too so, he shouldn't judge. he's scared of words, cause those words will be indirectly for him too. a clergy man who can't stand for the words of God he preaches. don't he's Bible has that portion that says " nor homosexual will inherit the kingdom of God " that's why they hardly preach about heaven and hell fire in Catholics.

soon gay marriage will become acceptable in d catholic church. GOD forbid

God help us

Lemme Ponder over it before I comment responsibly.

666 = The mark of the Beast
President Obama Vs
;Revelation13:1 5 -18
The US
Senate has passed the Obama
Health Care' bill into law. The
implementation would commence
Soon. This bill would
require all
Americans to be implanted with a
Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) chip
in order to access medical
care.
The device will be implanted
on the
forehead or on the arm. This is to
fulfill the prophesy in the Book of
Revelation 13:15-18 concerning
the MARK OF THE BEAST!
Are you still doubting the
ENDTIME? GET READY! The rapture
is near! .Revelations 13 is being
played out right before us. Many
are still unaware.
(1) Why is the chip
being implanted exactly where
the Bible says it would be. Why on
the
hand and forehead. Why not
anywhere else?
(2) Why is it being connected
to your bank account? Remember
the Bible says you won't be able
to buy
or sell without the mark. And
guess what! The chip is
connected to your
financial details. What breaks my
heart the most is that many
people in the
church will not make it if Jesus
comes now? Many are unaware
that the
end is near.
Don't tell me that its
advancement in technology or
development. If any area of your
life is not in sync with God's word
Repent
and be converted. If you miss
heaven you can never miss
hell...think about
it. Hell is not a pretty place, the
worst part is that it is for
eternity...Plea se
rather than post and forward
senseless messages. Send to
everyone you
know. Do the work of an
evangelist. PLEASE SHARE THIS
MESSAGE WITH
ALL YOUR CONTACTS. Have you
ever wondered what would have
happened if we treat the Holy
Bible the way we treat our mobile
phone?
And we really can't live without it.
Only 7% will re-send this
message.
Don't be of the 93% who will not
share the message.
Satan said "I wonder
how humans claim to Love God
and disobey Him, and claim they
hate me
yet they obey me"
Do not send later. Send now. May
Almighty God grant
success to every one who reads
and sends this

If The Pope Should Approve Gay Marriage, That Means It has been Approved Worldwide... No Other Church Get Mouth... After them go dy Criticise Catholic..

[b]I love this Pope so much because of the way he thinks, though I'm not a Catholic. He has this humility and wisdom that makes him stand out among other world leaders and former Popes. That was why he was able to attract a world record crowd of over three million in Brazil last Sunday. I support what he said. Though he clearly disapproves of homosexuality in its entirety, he believes that homosexuals who are truly repentant and remorseful should be allowed to seek the face of God in the Church. Even Jesus himself forgave an adultress and a condemned robber during his lifetime. The Church (and the society at large) should not reject or condemn such people instead it should welcome them with open arms and show them love and kindness. Afterall they were not the ones that chose to be gay, they were born into it.


Once again let me repeat, for the sake of those who find it difficult to understand even the simplest of things and those who like to make mountains out of anthills, the POPE DOES NOT SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE OR HOMOSEXUALITY. ALL HE IS SAYING IS THAT THE SOCIETY SHOULD NOT REJECT THEM. HE IS SAYING THAT THEY SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO THE SOCIETY AND OFFERED HELP [/b]

He's not main to judge anyone. He's not GOD,he is a sinner like us. So don't think of judging your follow sinner, rather pray for them to repent from their sins

He is right not to judge jesus never judge but inside he condemned act which was not right the pope his suppose to do the same

He meant that he is not God. he should preach repentance to them, any other thing will be contradictory to his faith. mind u i'm nt catholic

He who is without sin should cast the first stone. A married man who just left a brothel where he frolicked with a hooker will open his mouth too and condem a different sin right?

our religious leaders are becoming more of politicians.... gone are d days the leader will open d bible and say to d followers that whatever you do contrary to this book is a sin... just d same as a pastor saying who am I to judge bode George... God bless the republicans who vehemently oppose dis homosexual act.. marriage is a union between a man and a woman... this is a big slap from d pope, instead of discouraging these people, he couldn't tell them the truth and he hopes to use this to gain political influence.

I'm a xtian and I will never accept anything outside of the holy book.

Isn't that one of the tenets of Christianity? Do not judge.

Oluwa is involved

My question is....... Can someone accept the lord and have good will and at the same time, be a gay? better still, is there anything like (born again)gay christian??

If he is able to issue e-forgiveness for his followers on twitter, why not e-judge them to? Atleast, it takes you to judge and acknowledge someone sin before you can forgive them.

I think the pope is trying to play safe by sitting on the fence

And who Am i to judge pope francis?