the vatican

Or, at the very least, a missed opportunity.

Every bishop knows he has gay priests in the ranks—pretending otherwise is surely as much of a moral issue as, say, same-sex marriage. Gay priests work in dioceses and religious orders as pastors, teachers, administrators, right-hand men, chaplains, liturgists and preachers. The bishops know this and yet few are able to speak with the kind of candor the pope manages on a daily basis.

As many have noted, Pope Francis’s latest interview offers a refreshing departure from his predecessors despite, among other things, the pope’s dubious perspective on women. But rather than more emphasis on Good Pope Francis, there’s another upside to wish for.

Soon, many optimistic, not to say naïve, Catholics—and Protestants—are going to be shocked to learn that the kindly new Pope Francis has excommunicated an Australian priest…

As Pope Francis launches a survey of Catholic opinion, a new survey reveals a yawning gap between the leadership and British Catholics.

That long-ago training might yet come in handy.

Viva il Papa!

Just after the new pope effectively shut the door to the ordination of women, a priest connects his segregated Louisiana upbringing and campaign to end the U.S. Army School of the Americas to last year’s excommunication for his refusal to quit ordaining women.

Francis is attempting to bridge two pastoral approaches, evangelization and a preferential option for the poor, that have been at odds with each other in the Global South. But will he accomplish either?

Pope Francis turned heads with statements that suggest a course correction in the church’s attitude toward gays and women, but ultimately it’ll be what ministry, decision-making power, and moral authority women share that will answer the question.