PRAYING FOR A POPE WHO WILL LISTEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIGRATED IN THE PAST

PRAYING FOR A POPE WHO WILL LISTEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIGRATED IN THE PAST
Equally Blessed Coalition urges Francis I to understand that LGBT people are created in God's image

WASHINGTON, D. C., MARCH 13, 2013--Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Catholic groups that have spent more than 120 years working on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, released the following statement on the election of Pope Francis I:

"We congratulate Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on his election as Pope Francis, and join with Catholics everywhere in surrounding him with prayers as he assumes his sacred office. We are inspired by his humility, his devotion to the poor and the depth and thoughtfulness that characterize much of his writing. Pope Francis understands that we are all in need of God’s mercy, and we hope that he conducts his Papacy with this kind of humility. We are encouraged, too, by his frequently voiced conviction that the church must move beyond a preoccupation with its internal concerns and bear God’s love to people in the midst of their often difficult daily lives.

"If he truly desires to share the Gospel with all people, Pope Francis will come to realize that many of those created in God’s image are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. It is our fervent hope and continuing prayer that Francis will break new ground in opening a conversation with LGBT people so that he may come to know a little about their experiences of God’s grace, mercy and love.

Equally Blessed Supports Scouts for Equality

Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Catholic groups that have spent more than 120 years working on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, issues this letter of support for the work and mission of Scouts for Equality.

Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they were reconsidering the policy of excluding gay boys and gay and lesbian leaders from participation in BSA. Scouts for Equality has been a leader in the efforts to encourage the Boy Scouts to repeal the policy because of its deleterious effects.

It is with admiration and respect that we endorse the work that Scouts for Equality pursues. It is our hope that through combined and continued efforts the Boy Scouts of American may come to see the love that God has for all.

U.S. Catholics hopeful, but wary, of new Pope Francis

Catholics may be wary of Pope Francis' conservative views on culture, but still couch their comments in hopeful tones.

A statement from Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Catholic groups concerned with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, urged Pope Francis to listen to their concerns.

They charge, though, that as archbishop of Buenos Aries, Bergoglio made statements "not worthy of a pope or anyone in pastoral ministry" and called his writings "profoundly discouraging to LGBT Catholics."

EQUALLY BLESSED

Faithful Catholics committed to full equality for LGBT people in the church and civil society

PRAYING FOR A POPE WHO WILL LISTEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIGRATED IN THE PAST

Equally Blessed Supports Scouts for Equality

U.S. Catholics hopeful, but wary, of new Pope Francis

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