Pope Francis with admirers in Brazil
Journalists have been trumpeting what appears to be a "more conciliatory tone" in Pope Francis' pronouncements on gays. But it's all style, rather than substance. Being homosexual by orientation has never been seen by the Church as sinful - it's homosexual activity that was always condemned, and remains so. Forget gay marriage: you still have to be celibate if you're gay and want to stay in the Catholic Church.
No change, either, on women priests - "that door is closed", the media-friendly prelate said to journalists, adding statements about the importance of women in the Church. Humbug, Your Holiness. It's like saying that women need to be appreciated for their cooking, but aren't allowed in the boardroom.
Moving into a flat, using a small car instead of a limo, carrying your own bags: these are gimmicks that will endear the pontiff to the faithful. But double standards within the Church seem set to continue. On Saturday the Guardian wrote about a fresh scandal brewing in the Catholic Church in Scotland, where a priest who has complained of being abused by an older priest has been ostracised and sidelined. The message is clear: toe the line or you're out of favour.
The Pope himself looks as if he may be heading for trouble with his appointment of Monsignor Ricca to an important position overseeing the Vatican Bank. The appointee was formerly stationed at the Vatican Embassy in Montevideo, where, it is alleged by Italian investigative journalists, he led an openly gay life, even being caught on one occasion with a rentboy in a lift. In most countries a charge of this nature would lead to suspension of the person concerned from his duties while the allegations are investigated. Not in the Catholic Church, it seems, where there's one rule for the prelates and another for their flock.
Antony Mair
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