Normally, I put my comments first; however, in this posting, they are at the end. – Watchwoman

Pope Francis addressed reporters aboard the Papal plane, July 29, 2013
Pope Francis addressed reporters aboard the Papal plane, July 29, 2013

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Pope Francis reaches out to gays – (Source: The Telegraph) – Wednesday, July 31, 2013

CHPP in The Daily Brief writes: In a significant shift of stance, the Pope struck a much more conciliatory tone than traditional Vatican doctrine, which has called homosexuality “a deviation” and “an irregularity” that should preclude gay men from becoming priests. The comments did not fundamentally change the policy of the Catholic Church, which holds that while homosexual orientation is not sinful, homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered”. But they signaled that Francis accepts that some priests are gay, and that it is acceptable as long as they adhere to their vow of celibacy, marking a more compassionate, inclusive stance on the issue.

CHPP prays: Father God, we intercede for this man who heads up the largest denomination in the world to be able to sharply discern and clearly express to a confused world the difference between compassion for people who are under the influence of wicked spirits and yet to not approving of what God has called sin. Bless this man in this very serious position he holds in our world.

“Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

(Read more) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10208802/Pope-Francis-reaches-out-to-gays.html

Email: Capitol Hill Prayer Partners at chpp@patriot.net

 

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Video from Pope Francis talking to the press on his plane about Benedict XVI, Vatican Bank and ‘gay lobby’ (6 min 45 sec)

Source: YouTube

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Calvin’s Commentary: What a disheartening disappointment. I’m very sorry to say that I can only view Pope Francis’ liberal position on homosexuality with such pain that it makes me want to cry! I didn’t even want to post anything about this because I kept hoping against all hope that the Vatican would issue a statement saying that the Pope never made any such statements and the media had taken his words out of context and twisted them.

I used to be Roman Catholic until they left me back in the 70’s and 80’s, but I have never held any contempt of the Roman Catholic Church. I learned many good things there that I have carried with me all through my life. For example, all the tenants of the “Apostle’s Creed,” but this position expressed by Pope Francis is beyond my comprehension. What was Pope Francis thinking saying these words especially during these turbulent, perilous times, the Last Days, while evildoers are trampling all over God’s Commandments, the Holy Bible, prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the very Words of Jesus Christ Himself?

Pope Francis might not be willing to judge, but he claims the highest seat as the head of a church that thinks their priests must judge sin and who proclaim that not only can they judge sin, their priests are the only ones who can administer the forgiveness for the sins of penitents who enter inside the Catholic confessionals. May God help them, because if these priests cannot judge, my question is simply this, “How can they figure out what to forgive if they cannot even make a judgment as to what is a sin and what is not?”

I am certain that Pope Francis has to have read The Holy Bible repeatedly in order to have been elected as Pope. Therefore, he must have read many times the following Scriptures that are perfectly clear to a simple layperson like myself …

[Leviticus 18:22] Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

[Hosea 4:6] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

[Isaiah 5:20] Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

[Romans 1:26-32] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[1 Corinthians 6:9-10] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

After reading God’s Words – God’s Commandments – What is there to judge?  God has already judged and ruled on homosexuality (effeminate).

In closing in deep grief, all I can add is what Jesus Christ, Who is the Only Way to Heaven and the Only One Who can forgive sin, said when he saw the most evil deeds of the very men who crucified Him…

[Luke 23:34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

▬  Donna Calvin ▬ Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Pope Francis answers reporters questions during a news conference aboard the papal flight on the journey back from Brazil, Monday, July 29, 2013
Pope Francis answers reporters questions during a news conference aboard the papal flight on the journey back from Brazil, Monday, July 29, 2013
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