Free Pope Francis (Pastor of Mercy) by Michael J. Ruszala Page B

but love the sinner.” It understands that sin is something that eats away at the person, but still encourages the person sinning to be treated as a person and with love. It was with mercy that Jesus told the women he saved from those who wished to stone for her adultery, “Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more” (John 8:11).
     
    Pope Francis constantly reminds us in his homilies to have mercy on others by refraining from gossip. In a homily on September 13 at Sanctae Marthae to the Vatican staff, he preached, “The Lord does not waste many words on this concept. Further on [in the Gospel] he says that he who has hatred in his heart for his brother is a murderer.” There is no room for gossip in the life of a Christian, and it arises from judging others. Gossip and judgment destroy solidarity and break down the culture of cooperation. Instead of gossiping, Pope Francis urges the people, “Go and pray for him! Go and do penance for her! And then, if it is necessary, speak to that person who may be able to seek remedy for the problem. But don’t tell everyone!” Gossip was also a theme of special interest in Bergoglio’s homilies as cardinal.
     
    The topic of mercy came up in Pope Francis' interview with Father Spadaro. The Holy Father said, “A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy.” Here his answer focuses not on the question of homosexuality, but on mercy. Pope Francis has always said that he follows the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in all things. The Catechism states in paragraph 2357 that “tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
     
    The Catechism continues in paragraph 2358 regarding homosexual persons, “This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them at trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.” What Pope Francis is saying is not new; it is a pastoral application of the teachings of the Catechism with an emphasis on mercy and the person.
     
    Journalists approached Pope Francis on his flight back from World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro about rumors of gay priests within the Vatican. As usual, his response was a disarming one that looked to the person and made the headlines, since his response was so unusual for a pope. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” It was the first time a pope had used the word ‘gay’ to refer to a person with same-sex attraction, and he probably did so because that is how they refer to themselves. We all have desires that are disordered and that is why we sin.
     
    The Pope is conveying a strong message: who are we, the people, to judge if a person is tempted in a different way than we are? Priests are called to celibacy, and a priest with same-sex attraction is called to celibacy just as a priest who is attracted to the opposite sex. Currently, candidates for the priesthood may only have attraction for the opposite sex if they are to be ordained. If Pope Francis makes a change has yet to be