Can gay people go to church




Pope Francis said Sunday that the Catholic Church is open to everyone, including the gay community, and that it has a duty to accompany them on a personal path of spirituality but within the. Several pastors permitted LGBT people who committed to remaining celibate to volunteer for leadership roles within the church, such as leading Bible studies or small groups, or even preaching.

The supporters of the LGBTQ movement are right; the church should be a place that is “welcoming” to all people. Anyone who graces the doors of any gospel church comes as a person with inherent value. Everyone exists as valuable because every person is made in God’s image (Genesis ). Pope Francis says everyone is welcome in the Roman Catholic Church, including LGBTQ + people, but they have to follow the rules.

The pope’s remarks came in a press conference aboard his plane as. In the past, my wife and I weren’t super careful about attending a church that openly welcomed and affirmed LGBTQ people. Even though we would have liked a clear support, it wasn’t a deal breaker for us. But now that we have children, it totally is. Pope Francis said Sunday that the Catholic Church is open to everyone, including the gay community, and that it has a duty to accompany them on a personal path of spirituality but within the framework of its rules.

Francis, speaking to reporters on the plane returning to Rome from Portugal, also said his health was good following surgery for an abdominal hernia in June. He said his stitches had been removed but had to wear an abdominal band for another two or three months until his muscles strengthened. This was an apparent reference to women not being allowed to become priests through the sacrament of Holy Orders and same-sex couples not allowed to contract marriage, which is also a sacrament.

This does not mean that it is closed. He said ministers in the church had to accompany all people, including those not conforming to the rules, with the patience and love of a mother. The church teaches that women cannot become priests because Jesus chose only men as his apostles.

christianity and homosexuality

The church does not allow same-sex marriage or even blessings for same-sex couples, but Francis supports civil legislation that gives same-sex couples rights in areas such as pensions, health insurance and inheritance. Since the start of his papacy, Francis has been trying to make the church more welcoming and less condemning, including to members of the LGBTQ community, but without changing teachings that urge those with same-sex attraction to be chaste.

Francis has pushed a series of reforms since he became pope 10 years ago , including giving more roles to women, particularly in high-ranking Vatican positions, but faces a delicate balance between appealing to more liberal believers and upsetting conservatives. On the plane, he said he was rejuvenated by what he had seen at the World Youth Day Catholic festival in Portugal, including by the orderly nature of the crowds and their size.

About 1. Many of the faithful slept outdoors, having attended a vigil there on Saturday night, and they gathered in sweltering heat. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Skip to Content. NBC News Logo. Search Search.

can gay people go to church

Profile My News Sign Out. Sign In Create your free profile. Sections U. Follow NBC News. Latest Stories U. Get more news Live on. By Reuters.