Pope Francis, who arrived in the U.S. this week, will undoubtedly show the world his humble side as he leads Mass, greets fellow Catholics, and speaks before Congress and the United Nations. But let's just have a reality check on the status of Catholicism �" since Francis became head of the church in March 2013, no Catholic doctrine has been changed. Women are still not allowed to become ordained priests, and same-sex marriage is still not recognized, even as it has become legal in Ireland, a very Catholic country, and the United States this year.
What has changed under Francis is the tone of the Vatican, thanks in large part to the pope himself. No longer as much fire and brimstone, Francis, a Jesuit, has brought a kinder, more compassionate atmosphere to the church, and he embodies that very well. Who can forget his "Who am I to judge?" comment about gay priests. But as the New York Times noted in its July 2013 coverage of the remark, "Never veering from church doctrine opposing homosexuality, Francis did strike a more compassionate tone than that of his predecessors, some of whom had largely avoided even saying the more colloquial 'gay.'"
And yet, even as the Vatican tries to project a gentler attitude, it seems to take one step forward and two steps back. So, just as we're about to marvel at something enlightening, something else happens that smacks us back to reality.
In early September, for example, Francis made headlines when he announced that all Roman Catholic priests would be empowered to offer absolution for the "sin of abortion" during the church's Holy Year of Mercy, which begins in December. For many Catholics, this was welcome news. "I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision," Francis said in a statement issued by the Vatican. "What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope."
The Times noted that Pope John Paul II offered the same absolution during the last Holy Year, in 2000, but the paper noted that Francis' decision "shows his broader push to make Catholicism more merciful and welcoming."
Just four days later, however, the Vatican lashed out at the transgender community, when it said trans people are unfit to be godparents. According to media reports, a bishop in Spain had asked for clarification and was promptly informed that transgender people do not meet the moral requirement to be godparents. This is ridiculous, a person's gender identity �" and their decision to live authentically �" should have no bearing on becoming a godparent.
Dignity USA, an organization that works for full equality of LGBT Catholics in the church and society, was quick to react, saying it was "deeply disappointed" in the Vatican's determination. "This decision is a tragic demonstration of the Vatican's inability to see as God sees, and sends yet another message of exclusion to transgender Catholics and those who love them," DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke said in a statement. "If a child's parents want to lift up a transgender person's faith as a model for that child, it is wrong for church officials to interfere."
We agree with Duddy-Burke that Vatican officials are "demonstrating a sadly limited, one-dimensional view" of trans people. "A person's whole life must be considered," she added. "The reality is that many transgender people are deeply spiritual, and give witness to God's incredible creativity."
And while the transgender godparent condemnation didn't come directly from Francis, we're confident that he, as leader of the Holy See, is well aware of statements issued from the Vatican. It may have a cumbersome bureaucracy, but when it comes to God and LGBTs, you can be sure the pope knows what's going on.
Just ahead of the pope's visit to the U.S., Vatican officials �" unnamed, of course �" said they were unhappy that President Barack Obama had invited LGBTs to the White House welcoming ceremony. Apparently, officials worried that any photos of Francis with these guests might be interpreted as an endorsement of their activities or beliefs. Those on the guest list included retired Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and Mateo Williamson, a trans man, who used to be a co-chair of Dignity's transgender caucus. He told the Wall Street Journal that his presence at the ceremony "speaks to the necessity for continued dialogue" between transgender Catholics and church hierarchy.
Williamson was to attend the ceremony with Vivian Taylor, a transgender woman who was invited by the White House and who formerly served as executive director of Integrity USA, an LGBT advocacy group in the Episcopal Church.
Next month, the Vatican is expected to hold a meeting on whether the church will soften its approach on gay rights and whether Catholics who have divorced and remarried without an annulment may receive the sacraments, the Times reported. We hope that the Vatican will adopt a more forward-thinking stance on LGBTs. Francis is a smart man, and he surely sees that the world is changing �" in the U.S. even many Catholic laypeople support marriage equality and many religious denominations have embraced same-sex marriage. If the church wants to remain relevant, he should indeed lead the Catholic Church to change. We don't expect him to embrace same-sex marriage, but more than a shift in tone is needed. Francis has been pope for more than two years, it's time he issued a substantive positive declaration about LGBT people.