By Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger,
Bishop of Tucson




Various media sites have quoted Pope Francis as having stated in a recent interview: 

“Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it […]”

To clarify, Pope Francis has not suggested any change to the Catholic Church’s teaching that marriage is a relationship exclusively between a man and a woman, open to the possibility of procreation, and whereby the parties support and encourage one another in their development as human beings and as children of God. 

If the Holy Father were addressing a formal teaching of the Church then it is probable that he would have made use of a written format, such as an Encyclical or a  motu proprio.  Again, as his statements reflect no change in Church dogma or teaching I do not view his statement as within the paradigm of either personal belief or representing the entire Church.

Media hype: Pope Benedict XVI on condom use in 2010

Analysis: What the Pope really said about condoms, CNA

What Pope Francis is referencing in his recent statements regarding homosexual people, which are consistent with his prior statements and positions he held as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is that unjust discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community is sinful.  Legislation barring unjust discriminatory actions against homosexual people is consistent with the Church’s teachings. 

The Catholic Church supports that members of the LGBTQ+ community are created in the image of God, are of inherent worth and dignity, and are members of the human family as well as their own particular families.  Legislation that protects them from unjust discrimination is supported by the Holy Father. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also has expressed its support of the LGBTQ+ community in their struggle against abuse, harassment, and unjust discrimination. 

+Edward J. Weisenburger
  Bishop of Tucson

---

Context on same sex unions, the Pope and other resources:

• Pope Francis sends mixed signals on civil unions for gay couples, Crux News, January 27, 2016

• Francis: Priests should never refuse baptism to one who asks, National Catholic Reporter, April 27, 2015

• Pope on homosexuals: 'Who am I to judge?, NCR Online, July 29, 2013