Pope Francis warned today that “a very strong reactionary attitude” is growing among Catholics in the United States and reiterated that the Church is open to all, including homosexuals and transgender people. in a meeting with Jesuits on his recent trip to Lisbon the transcript of which was published this Monday in the Society’s journal, La Civiltà Cattolica.
“I have found that things are not easy in the US: there is a very strong, organized reactionary attitude that structures even affective belonging. “I would like to remind these people that indiestrismo (regression) is useless and that it is necessary to understand that there is a correct development in understanding questions of faith and morals,” the Pope said of the harsh criticism he receives from members of the Church in this country.
Francis criticized these people, whom he called “indietristas” because “if you go backward, it forms something closed, unconnected to the roots of the Church, it loses the sap of revelation.”
“You’ve been to the United States and say you experienced a climate of isolation. Yes, I think this kind of weather can be experienced in some situations. But then true tradition is lost and people turn to ideologies in search of support of any kind. In other words, ideology replaces belief, belonging to a part of the church replaces belonging to the church,” he added.
Responding to a question about homosexuality, Francis reiterated that “everyone” is “invited to live in the Church.”
“It is obvious that the issue of homosexuality is very much in the foreground today and that sensitivity in this regard changes depending on historical circumstances.” But what I generally don’t like at all is that you look with a magnifying glass at the so-called ‘sin of the flesh’, as has been practiced for a long time with the sixth commandment,” he emphasized.
«The spiritual and pastoral support of people requires a lot of sensitivity and creativity. But everyone, everyone, we are all called to live in the Church: never forget it,” he added, explaining that he sometimes receives transgender people. “I’ve realized that these people feel rejected and it’s very difficult,” he added.
On the other hand, he explained that he is very worried about “the wars” at the moment, because “since the end of the Second World War there have been constant wars all over the world.” And today we see what is happening in the world. No need to add words.
