Proposed Changes from Rome

It did not take Pope Francis long to begin showing a great leaning toward the proponents of Liberation Theology and it’s so called “social justice” standard. What is even more troubling is the fact that a earth shattering paper proposing change in the Churches attitude toward Homosexuality, same sex marriage and cohabitation was leaked to the press in Rome a full day before the paper was presented to the convened Bishops Synod. Certainty some one intentionally let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Does this mean that as faithful Catholics we are now to be told to completely ignore the straight forward teachings of the bible to become more “so called politically correct?”

At the direction of Pope Francis I, the Vatican has released a document that says gay people have "gifts and qualities to offer," and even praises same-sex relationships for being "a precious support in the life of the partners."

It is being called "a dramatic shift in tone" in news reports, and "an earthquake" in tone by John Thavis, a Vatican expert and author of the New York Times' bestseller, The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church.

"Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a further space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home," the document, the relatio, reads, according to the AP.

"Are our communities capable of proving that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?" it asked.

A number of participants at the closed-door synod have said the Church should tone down its condemnatory language when referring to gay couples and avoid phrases such as "intrinsically disordered" when speaking of homosexuals.

While the Church continued to affirm that gay unions "cannot be considered on the same footing as matrimony between man and woman", it should recognize that there could be positive aspects to relationships in same-sex couples.

"Without denying the moral problems connected to homosexual unions it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners," the document said.

But just last week, Raymond Burke, the Vatican's number two man -- a judge second only to Pope Francis -- in an interview said parents should not let their children have any contact with gay people, who engage in these "evil, wrong," and "disordered" relationships. It may well be that he had been warned of this proposed new direction in Church thinking. We should give great thanks for such a stalwart defender of the faith as Cardinal Burke.

John Smeaton, co-founder of the conservative Catholic group Voice of the Family, said "Those who are controlling the synod have betrayed Catholic parents worldwide. He called it "one of the worst official documents drafted in Church history."

This Vatican document will most likely be the basis for discussion for the second and final week of the bishops assembly which is known as a synod. It will also serve for further reflection among Catholics around the world ahead of another definitive synod scheduled for next year

The have been numerous calls for Benedict XVI to come out of retirement and make a definitive statement reinforcing the traditional values of the church.

Only time will tell!