RCC bishop: Pope's words on accepting gay unions contradict Church teaching

RCC Bishop Thomas Tobin (right) and Pope Francis. A photo: twitter.com/ThomasJTobin

On October 21, 2020, Thomas Joseph Tobin, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Providence in the United States, said that the Pope's words about the need to recognize the legality of civil gay unions are contrary to the teachings of the Church. Bishop Tobin's statement was posted on the diocese's website.

The Catholic cleric noted, "The Holy Father’s apparent support for the recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples needs to be clarified. The Pope’s statement clearly contradicts what has been the long-standing teaching of the Church about same-sex unions."

Bishop Tobin reminded that "the Church cannot support the acceptance of objectively immoral relationships."

“Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and must have their personal human rights and civil rights recognized and protected by law. However, the legalization of their civil unions, which seek to simulate holy matrimony, is not admissible,” Thomas Tobin emphasized.

As reported, in the documentary “Francesco” that premiered in Rome on October 21, 2020, Pope Francis backs the legalization of same-sex civil unions.

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