Discussion in Church. And on this occasion, one of the issues their leaders feel least comfortable with is homosexuality. Ten days ago, in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops at the Vatican, Pope Francis showed that he was categorically against homosexuals becoming priests. This situation is not entirely new, but the forms used by the Pope in recent years, characterized by a softening of the Church’s tone towards the group, are new. Francis assured me that if he doesn’t want homosexuals in Catholic seminaries, it is partly because there are already too many perceptions of “faggots” there.

Of course, this word created a storm. An incident so violent that it prompted the Vatican to issue an apologetic statement.

“C’è già troppa ‘frociaggine’.” The statement was brief but shook the Church and provoked a controversy that threatened to taint the speech that Pope Francis has championed in recent years. A few days ago, on the 20th, the Pope met with the bishops of Italy at the Vatican to hold a working meeting. There was nothing extraordinary about the appointment and its purpose was to handle matters related to the Church. In this context, one of the bishops asked Jorge Bergoglio a sensitive question: How should one behave when a homosexual tries to enter the seminary?

His answer was clear, succinct… and condescending. Francis asked Italian bishops not to allow homosexuals to become priests, accompanying his response with such a homophobic tone that it sparked controversy: If seminaries should not be opened to homosexuals, it is at least partly because some already have too many “frociaggine”An Italian term that can be translated in Spanish as “faggot” or “faggot vibe”.

From leaks and slips. The meeting was held behind closed doors, without official minutes, so what we know about Francisco’s comment is the result of leaks. The first to publish it was the sensational website Dagospía; However, this information has since been confirmed by media outlets in Italy. RepublicCopying Bergoglio’s quotation marks; anyone Corriere della Sera. It was also captured by agencies. Guardian or the BBC network.

Some media attribute what happened to a mistake the Pope made while expressing himself in Italian. Sources actually used Corriere della SeraThe bishops, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggest that Bergoglio, who is of Argentine descent, may not have been aware of the offensive meaning of the word, even though he was of Piedmontese descent. In any case, the discussion has already been pressed into service.

We apologize to the public. But Bergoglio’s comment caused enough excitement that the Vatican issued a statement. And an apology. The Vatican tries to shed light on what happened in a short note published by Vatican News, a website affiliated with the Church. Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican Press Office, assures that the Pope is “aware” of the controversy and emphasizes that he “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms” and apologizes to those who felt offended. “

The note, which emphasized that the alleged comment was made during a meeting, said: “The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms and apologizes to those who were offended by the use of this term, as others have condemned.” The door was closed, and the Pope had declared on other occasions that “there is room for everyone in the Church.” “For everyone! No one is unnecessary,” he says.

Monks, plain. Beyond the vocabulary, the Pope appears to have strongly expressed his opposition to homosexuals being admitted to seminaries and thus eventually being able to become priests. In fact, this position is not as new as the tone used by Francis. In fact, this is consistent with a 2005 Church instruction in which Bergoglio sat in Peter’s chair and made a statement on the matter 11 years later.

The instruction on “discrimination criteria” states, “With deep respect for the persons in question, the Church cannot admit into the seminary and religious orders those who practice homosexuality, those who exhibit deep-rooted homosexual tendencies, or those who support the so-called homosexual culture.” “Vocational training” “for persons with homosexual tendencies”. Interestingly, although Francis himself is open to the Church “reviewing” celibacy, the church continues to reign among priests regardless of their sexual orientation.

An important moment. It is no coincidence that the issue of homosexuality, priesthood and seminaries was discussed at the meeting on the 20th. Just a few months ago, Italian bishops had already approved a new regulation for seminarians that had not yet received final approval from the Dicastery of the Clergy, which is responsible for overseeing matters related to priests and deacons.

More Country He points out that the possibility of whether homosexuals should enter theological schools has caused disagreement among bishops, and there has even been discussion of a change for homosexual candidates who adhere to celibacy. Pope Francis’ stance on this issue is now black and white. Including the homophobic outburst.

Speaking order? The pope’s comment highlighted two factors beyond substance: how and when. Since his inauguration as pope in March 2013, Francis has been characterized by softening the Church’s attitude towards homosexuals and choosing a more conciliatory tone than his predecessor, Benedict XVI. After his ordination, he said, “If someone is gay and seeks God and has good intentions, who am I to judge him?” he claimed.

This wasn’t his only wink. He even allowed the blessing of same-sex couples and other unions that, in his eyes, were “in an irregular state” at the end of 2023. In no case does the blessing equate them with marriage, and shortly after in January the Vatican clarified that the gesture did not constitute approval.

“A very serious problem”. Monday’s statements partially undermine the rapprochement that has been fostered over the years, but this is not the first time Bergoglio has toughened his speech. In a 2018 interview, the Pope acknowledged concerns about the situation of the clergy. “The issue of homosexuality is very serious and must be understood correctly by the candidates from the very beginning,” he argued. “We must be demanding. In fact, homosexuality seems to be fashionable in our societies, and this mentality, in a way, also affects the life of the Church.”

Image | Presidency of the Republic of Mexico (Flickr)

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