In contrast to Rome’s well-attended LGBT pride festival last weekend, and support of same-sex civil unions by Italy’s Lower House of Parliament, the Pope Sunday stressed the importance of children having heterosexual parents.
Addressing around 25,000 followers from the diocese of Rome, the pope said the differences between men and women are fundamental and “an integral part of being human,” reported the National Catholic Reporter.
The pope likened a long-lasting marriage to a good wine, in which a husband and wife make the most of their gender differences.
“They’re not scared of the differences!” the pope said. “What great richness this diversity is, a diversity which becomes complementary, but also reciprocal. It binds them, one to the other.”
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation expressed disappointment with the Pope’s comments and in response, Lisbeth Melendez Rivera, director of Latino/a and Catholic Initiatives for the foundation’s Religion and Faith Program, released the following statement:
“At a time when so many children across our world lack loving, welcoming homes, it is heartbreaking to hear Pope Francis dismiss a whole swath of potential LGBT parents who continue to prove that they are fully capable of providing safe and nurturing environments, just like many of their non-LGBT counterparts.
“We ask that Pope Francis, who has portrayed himself as pro-science, turn to the words of the American Psychological Association, which has concluded that ‘parenting practices around the world share three major goals: ensuring children’s health and safety, preparing children for life as productive adults and transmitting cultural values. A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for healthy development.’
“LGBT families — including LGBT Catholic families — affirm these goals and practice them everyday, advancing our belief that inclusion and acceptance are core values of our faith.
“We call on the Pope and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church to reconsider their harmful statements and renounce the message of exclusion that only serves to hurt all families.”
