New Cardinal Defended Masses for "GLBT" Roman Catholics
Vincent Nichols is included on list of 16 new 'princes of the church' eligible to vote for future popes
Despite the immutable nature of church teaching on homosexuality and his own criticisms of the government's gay marriage plans, Nichols's outspoken defence of fortnightly masses for gay, lesbian and transgender Roman Catholics won him gratitude and respect.
The Soho masses ended a year ago, reputedly because of pressure from the Vatican and an outcry from traditionalist British Catholics who disapproved of what they saw as a celebration of homosexuality.
For six years, however, they were a fixture – and staunchly defended by the archbishop. In 2010, Nichols laid into critics of the Soho masses, saying: "Anybody from the outside who is trying to cast a judgment on the people who come forward for communion really ought to learn to hold their tongue."
It was a sentiment echoed by Pope Francis, who last year declared: "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"
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Despite the immutable nature of church teaching on homosexuality and his own criticisms of the government's gay marriage plans, Nichols's outspoken defence of fortnightly masses for gay, lesbian and transgender Roman Catholics won him gratitude and respect.
The Soho masses ended a year ago, reputedly because of pressure from the Vatican and an outcry from traditionalist British Catholics who disapproved of what they saw as a celebration of homosexuality.
For six years, however, they were a fixture – and staunchly defended by the archbishop. In 2010, Nichols laid into critics of the Soho masses, saying: "Anybody from the outside who is trying to cast a judgment on the people who come forward for communion really ought to learn to hold their tongue."
It was a sentiment echoed by Pope Francis, who last year declared: "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"
Complete Article