About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER

Pope Francis Requests Mercy for Homosexuals, Divorced and Women Who Have Abortions

by Dr. Enozia Vakil on September 20, 2013 at 11:07 PM
Font : A-A+

 Pope Francis Requests Mercy for Homosexuals, Divorced and Women Who Have Abortions

Pope Francis has asked for mercy for divorced, homosexuals and women who have had abortions, and has asked for understanding for the real conditions of the people's lives.

"We must find a new balance, otherwise the Church's whole moral edifice risks collapsing like a house of cards," he said in his first interview since taking over as the head of the Catholic Church.


The Argentine pope said the Church needed more than anything to be able to "heal wounds", as he called for greater sympathy and understanding over practices the Church opposes.

He stressed that the Church's official position had not changed, but said that it should "always keep in mind the individual".

"What the Church needs more than anything today is the capacity to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful," he told the Jesuit paper Civilta Cattolica.

He compared the Church to a field hospital after a battle, saying it was "pointless to ask a seriously wounded victim whether they have high cholesterol, or elevated blood-sugar levels.

"We must heal the wounds. Then we will be able to tackle the rest," he said.

The first ever Jesuit pope has shown a strong reformist drive in his first few months in office.

On Monday, he called for "another way" of treating divorcees who remarry -- a thorny issue since Catholics who wed a second time are currently not allowed to receive Holy Communion at mass.

And in July he declared that it was not his place to judge homosexuals and said they should not be marginalised.

In Thursday's interview, he also said the Church should be more merciful and welcoming towards women who had undergone abortions.

"I think of a woman who, having suffered the breakdown of a marriage during which she had an abortion, goes on to remarry and now lives happily with her five children. The abortion weighs on her, and she is sincerely repentent," he said.

The confessional "is not a torture chamber," added the pope, saying priests should be neither too rigid nor too lax in their approach to the sacrament.

The pope returned to several controversial themes in the wide-ranging interview, which was conducted in August and released simultaneously on Thursday by around 15 different Jesuit publications.

In a reference to accusations that he failed to speak out during Argentina's brutal 1976-83 "Dirty War" when he was head of the country's Jesuits, he said he has "never been of the right", but that his "authoritarian way of taking decisions created problems".

"There were hard questions to address," he said, adding he suffered a "period of deep personal crisis."

Source: AFP

Recommended Readings

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Volunteering and Fun Activities Enhance Quality of Life: Canadian Study
Engaging in volunteer work or participating in recreational activities increases the likelihood of maintaining overall health.
Shielding Your Skin: Embracing the Power of Sunscreen for Sunlit Days
Significance of sunscreen as an essential element of skincare has experienced a significant upswing in popularity due to the deleterious effects of UV rays.
The Silent Contributor of Workplace Burnout: Influence of Personal Relationships
Impact of workplace burnout on employee performance, wellbeing, and organizational productivity is extensive, yet the role of personal relationships has been overlooked.
 Natural Herbs That Will Give You Youthful, Glowing Skin
Ayurveda offers a time-tested treatment for aging skin using natural herbs and antiquated traditions that value sustainability and might do wonders for skin health.
 Brain Protein Behind High-Salt-Induced Hypertension and Cognitive Impairment
Researchers identified two key physiological systems involved in hypertension, cognitive, and emotional impairments following high salt intake.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close

Sexual Problem

Consult an Expert

×

Pope Francis Requests Mercy for Homosexuals, Divorced and Women Who Have Abortions Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests