General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Pope's comments on family and marriage seem very much open to interpretation-WRONG [View all]Stinky The Clown
(67,790 posts)I didn't mean that implication at all. Yours was the first post that actually considered the OP in the sense in which it was intended. To get to your post, I had to read all the previous posts. There you'll see what I was referring to.
I am a long, long lapsed Catholic. I am that for many reasons, and the church's intractability on so many issues is one part of why I am. Things like choice and marriage equality are far more important to me than the church. If they want me back (I doubt they do) they will have to do a lot more to reach out to me.
This Pope seems very different from any of his predecessors that were there in my lifetime (back to Pius XXII). True enough, he hasn't, and likely never will, change church doctrine. Surely he won't change dogma, but what he seems to be is willing to "forgive" us for our actions that are counter to doctrine and dogma. A way back for divorced Catholics. Forgiveness for things that were (still are, I guess) unforgivable.
I read hope in those words.
Clearly not everyone sees them the same way. (See upthread as witness to that statement.)