Pope Francis is under attack from LGBT activists and the establishment media after allegedly using a “homophobic slur” during a discussion last week.
During a conversation with several bishops, Francis reportedly expressed his opposition to gay men becoming priests, saying that there was already too much “gayness” or “faggotry” in seminaries.
The word allegedly used that has caused a stir is “frociaggine”, which is considered by some to be deeply politically incorrect. Although the comment, if made at all, was made behind closed doors, the media frenzy soon became a reality, with both Italian and international media giving the story wide coverage and accusing the Pope of being “homophobic“.
Other media note that the Pope’s native language is Spanish, not Italian, and that he is therefore not well versed in language trends and what words might be considered offensive, so it is reasonable to assume that this was not a deliberate insult either.
It is noteworthy that Francis is highlighted as a rare LGBT liberal bishop who, among other things, has urged bishops to welcome homosexuals into the church, given his approval for priests to bless same-sex couples, and accused opponents of this arrangement of “hypocrisy.”
– If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? They should not be excluded, he said of homosexuals in 2013.
Worried about double life
When it comes to gay priests, however, Francis appears to be less liberal. He has continued to support the official Vatican line adopted by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, that “the Church, with deep respect for the persons concerned, cannot allow those who practice homosexuality, show deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture’ to enter the seminary or to be ordained”.
A few years ago, the Pope also reportedly warned a group of bishops about gay priests and urged them to carefully screen all applicants.
– If you are not sure, it is better not to let them in, he reportedly said.
Francis is said to be concerned, among other things, that gay priests might later lead a double life in which they continue to engage in homosexual activities.
