Catholic bishops drop moves to accept gays
- 10 years ago
Catholic bishops reverse what would have been a historic acceptance of homosexuals.
On Saturday, they dropped controversial parts of a document issued at the end of a two-week assembly at the Vatican.
The suggestion to accept homosexuals met opposition from conservative bishops, who say it threatened to undermine the traditional family.
In predominantly Catholic Philippines, news of the U-turn brought out mixed reactions.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino/English) SAINT PAUL PARISH LAY MINISTER JUANITO GOCO SAYING:
"That's what we were hoping for, for the Church to make a stand and say what is right or what is wrong."
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ENTERTAINMENT TALENT MANAGER RENZ REAL SAYING:
"I don't know why that happened, and the Church should really get closer to homosexuals, so that we homosexuals and lesbians can get closer to the Church."
Pope Francis had previously urged the Church to be more compassionate with homosexuals.
On Saturday, they dropped controversial parts of a document issued at the end of a two-week assembly at the Vatican.
The suggestion to accept homosexuals met opposition from conservative bishops, who say it threatened to undermine the traditional family.
In predominantly Catholic Philippines, news of the U-turn brought out mixed reactions.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino/English) SAINT PAUL PARISH LAY MINISTER JUANITO GOCO SAYING:
"That's what we were hoping for, for the Church to make a stand and say what is right or what is wrong."
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ENTERTAINMENT TALENT MANAGER RENZ REAL SAYING:
"I don't know why that happened, and the Church should really get closer to homosexuals, so that we homosexuals and lesbians can get closer to the Church."
Pope Francis had previously urged the Church to be more compassionate with homosexuals.