Pope Francis has told President Obama that US Catholics support tolerance and inclusion, and oppose unjust discrimination.
He was clearly referring primarily to inclusion and protection from discrimination for immigrant and minority ethnic groups – but the observation is equally applicable within the Catholic Church.
Dare we hope that he will take the same message to the US bishops – and in particular, those who have been excluding LGBT groups, and discriminating against lesbian, gay and trans church employees and volunteers?
Together with their fellow citizens, American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination,” the pontiff told the president.
“With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty,” he continued.
“That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions,” said Francis. “And, as my brothers, the United States Bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it.”
