Mexico’s Highest-Ranking Catholic Figure Supports Pope Francis’ Comments Supporting Same-Sex Unions
Update December 17, 2020
Pope Francis stunned the world when he came out in support of civil unions for same-sex couples. it was the first time a sitting pope has endorsed these rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Now, other high-ranking Catholic figures are supporting his call.
Cardinal Carlos Aguilar, the archbishop of Mexico City, supports Pope Francis’ call for civil unions for same-sex couples, according to an interview with NBC News. The support comes months after the pope’s statements were made public. These comments are a departure from Aguilar’s usual stances as someone who has lobbied against abortion rights and marriage equality.
“That can’t be. It just can’t be,” Aguilar told NBC News about families rejecting LGBTQ+ children. “If they decide as a matter of free choice to be with another person, to be in a union, that’s freedom.”
Original: In a historic move, Pope Francis comes out in favor of same-sex civil unions. The announcement is being heard by Catholics around the world. The Catholic church has been notorious for its anti-LGBTQ+ views and Pope Francis continues to push the Catholic church into the 21st century more and more.
Pope Francis called on the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples in a documentary.
“Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said in the film.
The pope’s declaration is a clear departure from the Vatican’s long held anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. The Catholic church has long demonized and ostracized LGBTQ+ people because of who they are and Pope Francis has done a lot of work to change that rhetoric from within.
Pope Francis has advocated for rights for several marginalized groups during his time as pope.
Pope Francis became the first pope from Latin America when he was chosen in March 2013. In the past seven years, Pope Francis has called for compassion for migrants fleeing violence in their countries, advanced LGBTQ+ acceptance in the Catholic faith, among other things.
“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered,” the pope said in the documentary “Francesco,” which debuted at the Rome Film Festival. “I stood up for that.”
The importance of the statement is not what he said but who he is to say it.
Popes before Pope Francis have long upheld the archaic views against the LGBTQ+ community. Pope Francis is the first pope to speak directly to the Catholic people in favor of humanizing and protecting LGBTQ+ people and their dignity. The pope has called on the church and Catholics to welcome LGBTQ+ people and took the stance that homosexuality is not an illness. Pope Francis’ papacy is a welcomed change for LGBTQ+ rights activists.
Catholic politicians are praising the pope for modernizing the church bit by bit.
The declaration is not only historical, it is moving Catholics closer to accepting and embracing LGBTQ+ people in society. The pope holds a lot of power in moving the Catholic church and its followers. With declarations like this, the pope is pushing the church to reckon with its own teachings and take steps into the 21st century.
Some are wondering what this will mean for devout Catholics in government, like potential Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Coney Barrett has been tied to vehemently anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups. While she claims that she doesn’t know that the organizations hold these views, as a devout Catholics the word of the pope holds weight. Many are curious to see if the pope’s words break through and resonate with the judge.
