Do you think the Catholic church is on the verge of becoming more progressive?

[cynatnite]

2 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Absolutely, bring on marriage equality!
	0 (0%)
	Maybe in small doses.
	2 (100%)
	No way, throw the porn and condoms away!
	0 (0%)
	I don't know.
	0 (0%)
	Stupid poll.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[MannyGoldstein]

1. Already has.

[ismnotwasm]

2. I hope so

This pope seems to be be an admirable man. Let's see how admirable he can get, in regards to Gay rights and women's rights.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. I think it is.

But not as progressive as I'd like. Still, I have a feeling Pope Francis is going to shake things up.

[Fearless]

4. That's like saying sunspots are cooler than the rest of the sun

It may be true, but it damn well isn't something to wear mittens over.

[dylan33]

5. No no no

It is just to take the heat off the truth about what they really are. Like a sorry politician.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. when it comes to some issues - the positions of the Roman Catholic Church have been somewhat

progressive for some time. For example in areas like justice for the poor, opposition to imperial wars and opposition to the death penalty - for at least the last few decades the Vatican has been more progressive than many mainstream American Catholics. But sexual politics have frequently trumped their more progressive positions. We all recall the declaration by someone in the Boston Diocese to refuse communion to Sen. John Kerry because of his pro-choice position. But I cannot recall any priest or bishop refusing communion to a political figure for supporting the death penalty or supporting the Iraq War. It seems as though the current Pope recognizes the overemphasis on sexual politics and the under-emphasis on the politics of peace and social justice.

[LostOne4Ever]

7. New Pope is a great spin doctor

But that is about it.

[Iggo]

8. LOL...no.

[freshwest]

9. The choices didn't fit. But I'd say no, it won't.

DISCLAIMER: I am not Catholic, nor have I ever been one. I do not attend their church, know their prayers or understand the heirarchical nature of their organization. They would likely not consider me a 'real' Christian, but I don't mind. Some I have known have proven to be worthy friends and allies in causes I care about.

But the RCC can't become liberal or progressive in the social sense, despite good policies and actions. Regarding abortion, their position will not change, just as their position on the death penalty, euthanasia and extended medical care for prolonging life when a person is terminal.

The positions expressed are that the timing of all of those events are in God's hands and man should not interfere with that process. They do not approve of the termination of a disabled child or euthanasia to end the suffering of terminally ill persons. They do not want to see the disabled at birth starved to death, in order to spare the cost of their care.

There may be exceptions to all of this, as I only know what I read in the news of several kinds and those I know who have advocated in defense of care for the vulnerable.

Women dying from the issues in a pregnancy is natural and not an excuse for terminating the life of the child, or so it's been claimed. There may be variations on this, but I think that's the gist of their philosophy.

That all that can be done to save a life that is not terminal, save abortion, is okay. This has resulted in some evil being done.

IIRC, the last Pope to die was allowed to pass with no heroic measures to prevent his death, so they kept firm.

In the past, they protested the death penalty, nuclear weapons, the SOA and the wars consistently.

Nor will their positions on emigrants, education or health care change, but they will continue to push for more privatization of social services to bring them the needed funds for what they consider their mission, AFAIK.

Here is a link on the surprising positions of the Catholic church in Saltillo, Mexico regarding gays, lesbians and legalizing abortion. The Pope said regarding homosexuals, he has no right to judge them:

https://northernbarbarians.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/mexican-bishop-tells-gays-lesbians-the-church-is-your-home/

Good night.