ALJAZEERA: …In the first extensive interview of his papacy, Pope Francis says the Roman Catholic Church cannot “interfere spiritually” with the lives of gays and lesbians, and that the church has become “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception.
The 12,000-word message includes references to a number of hot-button social issues, and comes on the heels of the pope’s comment in July that he cannot judge gay priests. In the new interview, published in 16 Jesuit journals around the world Thursday, Francis said the church should be the “home of all,” not a “small chapel.” He also warned that the church’s moral edifice could “fall like a house of cards” if it doesn’t better manage its mission to teach moral doctrine.
“The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules,” he lamented. “The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you. And the ministers of the church must be ministers of mercy above all.” … (more)
The Pope’s message was clear. Quote “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible,” he said. “The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear, and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”
Some people may misinterpret the Popes words as embracing abortion, gay marriage and contraceptive methods. He is not. The Popes words are very much in line with the catholic faithful from around the world.