Nearly half a million Catholics have signed a petition urging Pope Francis to condemn same-sex unions as unnatural and rule out allowing divorced believers who remarry to receive communion, organizers claim, reports The Manila Times.
The petition, The Filial Appeal on the Future of the Family, was launched by a group describing itself as an alliance of lay Catholics and pro-life organizations. By Thursday more than 472,000 people had signed the petition which urges Francis to uphold traditional teaching ahead of an October synod which will review how the Church relates to gay and divorced followers, the report continues.
Francis has made it clear that he wants the church to adopt a more inclusive, understanding approach to believers living “irregular” lifestyles. He caused consternation among traditionalists last year when, asked about his attitude to gay Catholics, he responded: “Who am I to judge?”
