Pope Francis tells gay man: 'God made you like that and loves you like that'
By Delia Gallagher and Hada Messia, CNN Mon May 21, 2018
Rome (CNN)A victim of clerical sexual abuse has said that Pope Francis told him that God made him gay and that his sexuality "does not matter."
Juan Carlos Cruz, a survivor of sexual abuse, spent three days with Pope Francis at the Vatican in April, in which he discussed his sexuality and the abuse he suffered at the hands of a Chilean priest.
Describing his encounter with the Pope to CNN, Cruz said: "You know Juan Carlos, that does not matter. God made you like this. God loves you like this. The Pope loves you like this and you should love yourself and not worry about what people say."
The Pope's words would amount to a significant departure from the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, which considers homosexuality "objectively disordered" and contrary to God's law.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told CNN on Monday: "We do not normally comment on the Pope's private conversations." Fernando Karadima, the man who abused Cruz, was found guilty of abuse by the Vatican in 2011.
Last Friday, all the bishops in Chile offered their resignation to Pope Francis after a three-day emergency summit at the Vatican to discuss Chile's sex-abuse scandal.
In total, 31 active bishops and three retired bishops announced in a statement that they had offered to resign over the scandal and place the issue "in the hands of the Holy Father so that he might freely decide for each one of us."
They prefer a muderous and vengeful portrayal of God. If its not fear based, then it’s not really a God.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Personally, I always thought Jesus would be a Protestant, if he were to choose a Christian religion. After all, he took over his dad's job, his mother thinks he's a God and he can't imagine his parents having sex.
Personally, I always thought Jesus would be a Protestant, if he were to choose a Christian religion. After all, he took over his dad's job, his mother thinks he's a God and he can't imagine his parents having sex.
He had brothers so he knows for a fact his parents had sex. More Christian bashing
Personally, I always thought Jesus would be a Protestant, if he were to choose a Christian religion. After all, he took over his dad's job, his mother thinks he's a God and he can't imagine his parents having sex.
He had brothers so he knows for a fact his parents had sex. More Christian bashing
Oh please, it was a joke. And I was raised Protestant.
Personally, I always thought Jesus would be a Protestant, if he were to choose a Christian religion. After all, he took over his dad's job, his mother thinks he's a God and he can't imagine his parents having sex.
He had brothers so he knows for a fact his parents had sex. More Christian bashing
Oh please, it was a joke. And I was raised Protestant.
OK I admit I probably took it the wrong way . My bad bro. I was wrong.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
This is hearsay from the young man. Nobody heard the Pope say it.
Next thread please...
What, you don't think God made him gay? Or you don't think God loves him gay? Tell me what's fake news about it.
It is hearsay. Pope never said it. The young man says the Pope said it. It Is FAKE NEWS!!!
So all the things Trump doesn't really do or say that you put out... I guess that makes you fake news too!
Trump? Now this is a Trump thread?
What did the Pope say that he said? What did the Vatican say the Pope said or meant? Nothing. It was a private conversation between the young man and the Pope yet your title suggests the Pope has said this.
This is hearsay from the young man. Nobody heard the Pope say it.
Next thread please...
What, you don't think God made him gay? Or you don't think God loves him gay? Tell me what's fake news about it.
It is hearsay. Pope never said it. The young man says the Pope said it. It Is FAKE NEWS!!!
So all the things Trump doesn't really do or say that you put out... I guess that makes you fake news too!
Trump? Now this is a Trump thread?
What did the Pope say that he said? What did the Vatican say the Pope said or meant? Nothing. It was a private conversation between the young man and the Pope yet your title suggests the Pope has said this.
That is simply not true.
Master of deflection. Trump has nothing to do with the good Pope.
You however, called this man's story fake news which drags your credibility into question and well we know the rest...
Anything you don't like is Fake News. It's a trumpian trait that allows you to live your lies.
I like hearing this stuff. I'm not very religious anymore, but I certainly identify myself as Catholic.
My parents are very devout and so is my extended family. I have an Uncle who's a Priest and had an Aunt who was a nun. I was an altar boy for a long time as well.
Anyway, between the sex scandal and some of the Church's stances, I've distanced myself a bit. But I do like the new Pope a lot.
This is the kind of stuff I like too. Practical stuff. Inclusive. In a time when people are leaving the Church, why would we push anyone away? That's how I see it.
You and I both know the only thing you have to go with in this thread is what this young man says happened.
You also know he can not be trusted.
How are you any more credible than anyone else. Do you know this man personally?
You claim it's fake news, yet you can't prove it is just as you claim others can't prove it's true
I am not saying to believe me, I am saying to look at the facts. -The Pope hasn't said he said it. -The Vatican has not released anything new about the views of the church. -The Vatican only said it does not report on the private meetings of the Pope. They are Private!
The only proof of any of this being said is what this young man has said. Yet everyone loves to hear it so they embrace it as fact.
Next, the young man runs right off to CNN to tell the World that the Catholic Church has changed its beliefs.
You and I both know the only thing you have to go with in this thread is what this young man says happened.
You also know he can not be trusted.
How are you any more credible than anyone else. Do you know this man personally?
You claim it's fake news, yet you can't prove it is just as you claim others can't prove it's true
I am not saying to believe me, I am saying to look at the facts. -The Pope hasn't said he said it. -The Vatican has not released anything new about the views of the church. -The Vatican only said it does not report on the private meetings of the Pope. They are Private!
The only proof of any of this being said is what this young man has said. Yet everyone loves to hear it so they embrace it as fact.
Next, the young man runs right off to CNN to tell the World that the Catholic Church has changed its beliefs.
Come on man.
The Pope has expressed views that have differed greatly from Catholic norms, especially when in comes to homosexuality. Unless he confirms or denys it, which he won't, there is no way to say for sure.
You and I both know the only thing you have to go with in this thread is what this young man says happened.
You also know he can not be trusted.
How are you any more credible than anyone else. Do you know this man personally?
You claim it's fake news, yet you can't prove it is just as you claim others can't prove it's true
I am not saying to believe me, I am saying to look at the facts. -The Pope hasn't said he said it. -The Vatican has not released anything new about the views of the church. -The Vatican only said it does not report on the private meetings of the Pope. They are Private!
The only proof of any of this being said is what this young man has said. Yet everyone loves to hear it so they embrace it as fact.
Next, the young man runs right off to CNN to tell the World that the Catholic Church has changed its beliefs.
Come on man.
The Pope has expressed views that have differed greatly from Catholic norms, especially when in comes to homosexuality. Unless he confirms or denys it, which he won't, there is no way to say for sure.
-If you are willing to accept the Pope saying nothing on the subject as a yes, -If you are willing to accept the Vatican not announcing any changes to the Church, and now being pro-homosexuality, -And if you are willing to accept the word of this young man as fact, Then by all means, be happy.
I don't really care. I am not religious. I do find it weird, why they wouldn't just come out and say that then (the church). However, have they offered an explanation to the countless abuses of children either?
The church has been a cover for pedophiles for centuries. It’s quite disgusting.
I guess touching kids in the name of god is cool in religious worlds.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
I guess touching kids in the name of god is cool in religious worlds.
No. It's not cool. It's wrong.
you should tell the catholic priest that.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
The Pope has expressed views that have differed greatly from Catholic norms, especially when in comes to homosexuality. Unless he confirms or denys it, which he won't, there is no way to say for sure.
Actually, no he has not. He may of expressed views that differ from your PERCEIVED view of the Catholic Church, but he's been pretty consistent with the church's actual beliefs with what he's said since he's been Pope.
And several of these "He said WHAT??" quotes have come from private meetings, where there was nothing recorded, no other witnesses, and no way of actually proving if he actually said that, if the other guy is lying or if it was just misinterpreted or taken out of context.
The Pope has expressed views that have differed greatly from Catholic norms, especially when in comes to homosexuality. Unless he confirms or denys it, which he won't, there is no way to say for sure.
Actually, no he has not. He may of expressed views that differ from your PERCEIVED view of the Catholic Church, but he's been pretty consistent with the church's actual beliefs with what he's said since he's been Pope.
And several of these "He said WHAT??" quotes have come from private meetings, where there was nothing recorded, no other witnesses, and no way of actually proving if he actually said that, if the other guy is lying or if it was just misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Completely agree with this.
I am not saying the young man lied but he may have heard what he desperately wanted to hear from someone trying to comfort him and getting him to accept his fate and move on.
I think it's a lot more reasonable that Pope Francis told him that. He is not Pope John Paul II. Considering both men speak Spanish, I doubt it was a communication issue. Francis is a good man imo and I think he really wants to bring an end to these crimes against children.
We are all sinners. So as to your belief about being gay, it really has no bearing about whether the Pope or God loves us.
i'm not a sinner.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Man, I wanted to get out of this sludge, but I have to answer this.
As far as the Pope, I don't acknowledge his authority in any way. I disagree with the Catholic church in many ways, in serious, fundamental ways.
I worry that churches are more becoming far more concerned with what man says, instead of what God says. Declining attendance is, I believe, both a cause, and a consequence of many changes churches have made. If the church is exactly like the world, then why go to church? Well, increasingly, young people don't. I also believe that some misunderstand what God says. The Bible is the authority for the Christian church, and Christian churches should look to the Bible above all else for their standards and beliefs. Amazingly, some "Christian churches" have now decided that they don't even have to follow the Bible. That really saddens me.
I do believe, absolutely, that God loves every one of His children. That doesn't mean that He just excuses their sin. He is willing to forgive sin, He wants to forgive sin, He is so desperate to save man that he sent His own Son to die on the cross, to pay the price for mans' sin. This horrific price for sin that we deserve is paid in full, when accompanied by repentance of sin, and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our culture has done a great job of legitimizing sin ... adultery, both premarital and extramarital .... taking God's name in vain, pornography, theft, idolatry, covetousness, dishonoring one's parents, murder, (and Jesus said that even just hating a brother is murder) lying about others, and the list just goes on and on.
I do believe that homosexuality is also a sin. This is an unpopular opinion in today's world, but I look at the way Jesus defined marriage, and adultery, and I don't see how homosexuality fits into the definitions Jesus, Himself, used. He also said that he did not come to abolish the Law of the Prophets, but to fulfill it. (which He did by living a perfect, sin free life) Everyone has a chance to come to God in repentance, and forgiveness, but people have to acknowledge their sin to be forgiven. Whether people see their behavior as sinful is, ultimately, between them and God. Jesus said that there is a wide gate, and a narrow gate, and that only those who pass through the narrow gate will be saved. He also said that many would try to lead people astray. I think that's happening today, in a wide variety of ways.
I also want to clarify that the desire is not, necessarily, a sin. We all have sinful urges and desires. It is when we want to, or do, put those urges into action that it becomes a sin. Jesus was tempted, just as we are, in all ways common to man. He understands our temptations.
Right now churches are struggling with homosexuality, and how to deal with it within the church. My church, the United Methodist Church, is likely to split over the matter, in one way or another. Practicing gay clergy, and gay marriage are major issues before the church, and the church has several solutions, all of which, I believe, will split the Church. There is no perfect solution, so we need to do what we believe is God's will.
I do not believe that practicing homosexuals are evil. I believe that they deserve the same love that God wants for all of His children. However, that does not mean that all sin is acceptable, or that I should lie and say that I don't believe that God sees sin as acceptable. I would not want a Pastor who was sleeping with women outside of marriage. That would make it too easy to excuse sin, rather than communicating how God sees sin, and why is matters so much that we come to repentance in Christ. I wouldn't want a Pastor who was cheating on his wife, or even his taxes. I think that those in authority in God's church need to set a high bar, as Paul stated in Acts, Romans, and 1 Timothy.
Anyway, just my $0.02 worth. I know that some will vehemently disagree. and I hope they will take it up with God. I think that earnestly seeking God changes a person. I know that i am not the same man I was when my faith journey really started. I thought I was a Christian, but I really wasn't. I was creating a God who agreed with what I wanted, not the other way around. I think that is a terribly dangerous place to live, and I am glad that God came to me, and saved me. I am now secure in my faith, and I try to do as the Lord would have me do. I fail ... a lot. However, there is a difference, IMHO, between trying and failing ....... and living in rebellion against God's Word.
I would also add that people should read the Word every day .... even if it's only a few chapters. (or verses) The Word gets into you the more time you spend in it. I also think that many people who consider themselves Christian would have a better understanding of what God wants for us, if they actually spent time in God's Word. I know people with 4 or 5 Bibles in their houses, and they are dusty, musty, and some have never been opened. If we want to know God's will, this is where we should start.
Anyway, as always, if anyone has any questions, they can message me. I am going to try and get back out of this forum, again. God bless everyone.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Not all Christians judge folks, unlike you who love to lump all white folks into one group 
