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Earlier this year, in February 11,
2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy because he is
gay and "could no longer live a lie."
Quoting The Daily Currant,
February 28, 2013, “In a statement released to Italian news media the
85-year-old departing pontiff says he is relieved to be coming out after eight
decades in the closet and urged the Catholic Church and other faiths to accept
homosexuality as a natural part of God's creation.
"Like many gay Catholics, I
have been forced for too long to choose between my faith and my identity,"
the statement reads. "My profound love for my beloved church compelled me
to lie to myself and to my fellow believers about a basic component of my
humanity.
"I deeply regret that
deception. I have not been honest with the Church, and for that reason I
decided that I could not continue my role as leader of the world's one billion
Catholics.
"Now that I have been
liberated of this secret, I wish to express my belief that homosexuals are
equal in the eyes of God. I beseech the Catholic Church to reconsider its ban
on gay clergy and become a leading force in the struggle for gay rights."
Since then a whole lot of rumours
which in any case float around almost all religious institutions went flying
around the world. It is suspected that at the senior level homosexuality in the
papacy exists. Indeed, many even have a secret conclave within the Vatican who
visit the local brothels. Not only that,
people are shocked and the outrage that followed said, Pope Benedict ought to
have remained in closet, which he had been doing for eight decades!
"Look everyone knows that
the only people who sign up for a lifetime of living in all-male dormitories
with no possibility of marriage are gay men," says Phyllis Gates, a
conservative Catholic blogger. "But why did he have to actually say it?
Denial was working so well for us."
Then, followed denial: "I don't believe him," Santorum
says from his home in Washington, D.C. "Homosexual activists have clearly
compromised Pope Benedict through blackmail or brainwashing or some sort of
queer subterfuge.
"He's not gay. He can't be
gay. That's just not possible. He's just pretending for some reason. And it's
my job to figure out what that reason is."
And finally some positive reactions were:
"It's heartening to see a
leading person in the Catholic Church finally take a stand for equality,"
says Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. "The church has
hitherto been one of the most powerful anti-gay rights organizations in the
world.
"Although it's a shame that
he was forced out because of his orientation, we're all hoping that Pope
Benedict's words of tolerance will resonate with people of faith around the
world."
Gay Catholic blogger Andrew
Sullivan, who speculated yesterday about a homosexual relationship between Pope
Benedict XVI and his personal aide, was phlegmatic towards the news.
"I wish I could take some
credit, but honestly anyone could have predicted this. No women, fabulous hats,
and Prada shoes? This is the gayest institution in the world."
Nearly one year has passed and
there are some points I want to bring forth to my readers:
(a)
Pope Benedict XVI ought not to have resigned
because he is gay. He ought to have declared his sexual preference and continued
as Pope giving out a strong statement to the world, loving/having same-sex
partners, was a positive way to be.
(b)
What has
religion got to do with one's sexual preference?
(c)
Why must the Pope remain in the closet, as some
suggested? It has indeed taken him 8 decades to come to term with himself and
his identity. Instead of celebrating his courage, why are we suggesting he
remains lying about his preference?
(d)
Indeed, why is sexual preference, such a big
issue in the first place? How does it really matter?
(e)
Coming out is not so much a declaration to the
world as much as accepting oneself, in the first place.
(f)
Keeping it a secret/ in the closet, is the
Pope’s choice, not anybody else’s choice, at all. There is no need to suggest
anything either.
Read the full article: Pope Benedict XVI comes out as gay. The Daily Currant, February 28, 2013
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