Pope Francis endorses civil partnerships for same-sex couples

Poster for "Francesco" by Evgeny Afineevsky

Pope Francis has reiterated his support for civil union laws for same-sex couples, in part of a new documentary on his papacy by director Evgeny Afineevsky. The film 'Francesco' interweaves voices and stories from past and present. It includes exclusive interviews with Pope Francis, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, members of the Pope's family and many others.

In the film, Pope Francis says gay people are "children of God" and "have a right to be part of the family." He goes on to suggests that civil union laws may provide a way for countries to protect the legal rights of persons in same-sex relationships.

Although some media outlets have said that this is the "first time" the Pope has departed from previous teachings, he has on several occasions spoken in favour of civil unions.

The New York Times reported in 2013 that in 2010, when the then Cardinal Bergoglio was archbishop of Buenos Aires, and the government of Argentina was considering introducing same-sex marriage, he encouraged the bishops of Argentina to support civil unions instead.

In a 2014 interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis acknowledged that states passing civil union laws were primarily doing so in order to provide same-sex partners legal rights.

In a 2017 interview with the French author Dominique Wolton, when asked about the possibility of same-sex marriage, he said: "Let's call this 'civil unions.' We do not joke around with truth."

The question of civil unions comes up in Afineevsky's film in a segment featuring Andrea Rubera, a gay Italian man who attended one of the Pope's daily Masses in Casa Santa Marta. Rubera said he gave the Pope a letter recounting conversations he and his partner were having over whether to take their children to church, fearing they might be discriminated against, as children of a gay couple. Rubera said the Pope later called him, and encouraged them take their children to church and to be honest with the parish priest about their situation. In an interview with the filmmakers during that segment, Francis mentions civil union laws, adding: "I supported that."

The film premieres next Wednesday, 21 October, at the Rome Film Festival. Then on Thursday, in the Vatican Gardens, it will receive the 18th Kinéo Prize. The 'Kinéo Movie for Humanity Award' is awarded to those who promote social and humanitarian themes.

Among other issues explored in the film, are the pandemic, racism and sexual abuse. The film also deals with the war in Syria and Ukraine as well as with the persecution of Rohingya Muslims. In the press statement the film makers say Pope Francis answers questions "with wisdom and generosity" sharing "moving examples of his life lessons," relaunching ideals that "can help us build a bridge to a better future and grow as a global community."

The LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council has welcomed Pope Francis' latest comments. In a statement entitled 'Welcome but not totally new', they say: "While not representing a break with the Vatican's past doctrinal statements on sexuality or gender, Pope Francis has broken new ground in affirming the right of LGBT+ people 'to be in a family.'

"The Roman Catholic Church's official position does not accept same-sex marriage due to it not being encompassed within its sacramental understanding of marriage, as between one man and one woman. However, increasingly, there is no similar issue with civil unions. Pope Francis' statement is valuable in two ways: firstly, because it once again reaffirms the teaching of the Catholic Church as laid out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "[Homosexuals] must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfil God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition," and secondly, it reinforces to ordinary LGBT+ Catholics that they are welcome at Mass and in the life of the Church.

"In 2014, the Bishops of England and Wales recognised the social value of same-sex civil unions in their response to the UK Government's Consultation on the Future of Civil Partnerships. Although they do not authorise blessings of these unions, thanksgiving liturgies are increasingly common at grass-roots parish levels. LGBT+ Catholic communities include a diversity of people: those in civil partnerships, others in same-sex marriage, some committed to celibacy, and others simply remaining single."

In 2019, in the BBC2 documentary series Pilgrimage: the Road to Rome, Pope Francis met the gay comedian Stephen K Amos. Amos said he hadn't wanted to meet the Pope because as a gay man he didn't feel accepted in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis responded, through an interpreter: "Giving more importance to the adjective than the noun. That is not good. We are all human beings and have dignity. It does not matter who you are or how you live your life, you do not lose your dignity. There are people that prefer to select or discard people, because of the adjective. These people don't have a human heart."

LINK

BBC2 series Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/36967