POPE FRANCIS CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT US

One would think the debate on same gender marriage would be over

The Pope has made it clear what he thinks about the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, but what do we think?

Almost a year ago, I wrote an article for the opinions section of the Courier on Pope Francis’s 2019 statement on queer, same gender marriage. In footage from 2019, he had made a statement endorsing “samesex” civil unions which many took to mean he was is support of same gender marriage. As soon as the interview clip leaked in 2020, there wasn’t anywhere one could go media-wise, where the Catholic Church and the Pope’s statement wasn’t a hot topic. Eventually, the discussion died down and the news cycle moved on to the next thing, as they always do.

But as reported by the Associated Press, on Sept.15, 2021, when asked by European media if he approves of legislation in Europe to support same gender marriage, he stated, “I have spoken clearly about this, no? Marriage is a sacrament...The Church doesn’t have the power to change sacraments. It’s as our Lord established. There are laws that try to help the situation for many people of different sexual orientation. It is important that this helps people but without imposing things that by nature do not function in The Church. But if they want to spend their lives together, a homosexual couple, nations have the possibility civilly to support them, to give them safety with regards to inheritance and health.”

Upon hearing this, I was shocked that outside of the Associated Press, I only saw one other news outlet report on this story, when almost a year ago his statements on same gender marriage could not be escaped.

Of course, I have my own feelings and opinions on the Pope, his most recent statement, and the Catholic Church. But I thought it would be much more valuable this time around if I talked to some members of the CapU 2SLGBTQQIA+ community on their perspectives and how they may have changed over time. Although those interviewed chose to remain anonymous as they are not fully out yet, in talking to them, I was surprised at the broad difference in attitudes and reactions.

In speaking to a CapU student and CapU queer community member they shared, “I know it may be controversial to say, but he’s changed a lot for us within the Catholic Church, and the Christian world. He’s not by any means perfect but there’s been at least some improvement.” When I shared Pope Francis’s most recent statement and asked him for his thoughts, he replied, “F***k, I honestly don’t know. I feel stupid saying what I said before now. I don’t want to justify him or anything like that — because what he said is not okay — but back to my point before. He has brought a lot of good change and that does make me feel hopeful in a way as weird as it probably sounds.”

On the other end of the spectrum, another queer CapU community member confided their previously supportive sentiments and current unfavourable feelings they held towards the Church and the Pope. “You know, I used to believe that the Church was changing. I really for a second bought their whole thing. And even though I didn’t grow up Catholic or anything, it’s still something that’s important to me because they do have a big influence, even if I don’t like to admit it.” They continued, “hearing that statement, I’m honestly not surprised at all. I just wish they would stop giving people false hope because our lives are impacted by his words. And I think it’s unfair that he can just play on both sides of the issue depending on what’s convenient for him.”

Talking to CapU queer community members reminded me that at the end of the day, we’re just trying to survive, to thrive. And hopefully one day, we won’t have to think about whether institutions want to uplift our community. They simply just will.