Pope Francis is under fire for reportedly using a homophobic slur during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops at the Vatican on May 20. The incident occurred during a Q&A session where seminary admissions policy for gay candidates was discussed. Despite a swift apology from the Vatican on the pope’s behalf, the incident has led many to question whether there are limits to what had hitherto been perceived as Pope Francis’ welcoming and inclusive stance toward L.G.B.T.Q. persons.
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and co-host and veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell discuss the recent incident, the Vatican’s apology, and its aftermath. They discuss the pope’s concerns about seminary formation, including fears of priests leading “double lives” and a perceived “gay subculture” in seminaries. They also revisit a 2005 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education, which has been reaffirmed by Pope Francis, barring gay men from entering seminaries to train for the priesthood.
Links from the show
- I am a gay priest. We need more than an apology for Pope Francis’ homophobic slur.
- Pope Francis used an anti-gay slur. What now for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics?
- Pope Francis says Italian seminaries should reject gay applicants
- Vatican issues apology after Pope Francis’ use of an anti-gay slur
- Pope Francis’ remarks about gay seminarians ‘taken out of context and used to divide,’ Italian bishop says
