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Pope Francis has issued an apology after using a derogatory term referring to gay men during a recent closed-door meeting with bishops. The incident has sparked significant controversy, particularly among LGBTQ Catholics, and has drawn mixed reactions from various groups within the Church.
During a discussion with Italian bishops at the Vatican earlier this month, the topic of admitting gay men to Catholic seminaries was brought up. Reports from Italian media indicated that Pope Francis expressed opposition to the idea, stating there was already too much “frociaggine” in seminaries, a highly offensive slang term in Italian that refers to gay men and gay male culture.
REPORT: Pope Francis reportedly said there’s too much “f*ggotry” while telling Italian bishops not to admit gay seminarians.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 27, 2024
The Pope allegedly referred to them as “frociaggine” which translates as ‘f*ggots’ or ‘poofs.’
According to La Repubblica newspaper, the Pope may not… pic.twitter.com/Vpol7oLwBd
Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, addressed the controversy on Tuesday, stating, “The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of the term.”
This incident is the latest in a series of actions by the Vatican that have sent mixed messages to LGBTQ Catholics. Earlier this year, the Vatican issued a document titled Infinite Dignity which labeled “sex change” and “gender theory” as grave threats to human dignity. Conversely, in late 2023, Pope Francis issued guidance allowing priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships, though not the relationships themselves.
The Catholic Church maintains that homosexuality is intrinsically disordered and considers sexual activity between people of the same sex to be a grave sin. Despite this, Pope Francis has often emphasized a more inclusive approach, famously stating, “There is room for everyone in the Church.”
Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of Dignity USA, an LGBTQ Catholic organization, expressed deep disappointment with the Pope's original remarks. “My stomach just dropped,” Duddy-Burke said. “It was so disheartening.” While she acknowledged the Pope’s apology, she stressed that it does not erase the hurt caused by his words. “This incident highlights a bigger problem within Catholicism itself,” she added, pointing to a significant divide between the beliefs of Church leaders and many of its followers.
Pope Francis is apologizing after reports that he used an offensive term for gay men in a recent closed-door meeting. https://t.co/3gPuZ6CHih pic.twitter.com/Mujup2fuzz
— ABC News (@ABC) May 28, 2024
Polling data supports Duddy-Burke’s analysis. A recent survey by Pew Research found that a majority of U.S. Catholics believe the Church should perform same-sex marriages. Another poll by the Public Religion Research Institute revealed that negative teachings about LGBTQ people are a major reason why individuals leave their religion.
The apology comes at a critical time as the Catholic Church faces growing scrutiny over its stance on LGBTQ issues. Pope Francis, who has often been viewed as a progressive figure within the Church, now finds himself navigating the delicate balance between upholding traditional Church teachings and fostering a more inclusive environment.
This controversy is likely to fuel ongoing debates within the Church and among its followers about the direction of Catholic teachings on LGBTQ issues. As the Church prepares for the upcoming synod in October, where these topics are expected to be discussed further, the Pope’s recent comments and subsequent apology will undoubtedly be a significant point of discussion.
In conclusion, Pope Francis's apology for using a derogatory slur highlights the ongoing tension within the Catholic Church regarding LGBTQ issues. While the Pope has made efforts to promote inclusivity, incidents like this reveal the deep-rooted challenges the Church faces in bridging the gap between its traditional teachings and the evolving views of its followers.
