(National Catholic Reporter. Camillo Barone).
DignityUSA, a national organization advocating for LGBTQ Catholics, has denounced Pope Francis’ recent reported use of an Italian slur when discussing the admission of gay men to priestly seminaries as “shocking and hurtful.” “We are glad that Pope Francis has apologized for using such a demeaning term,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, the group’s executive director, in a May 28 statement. “We know that this was shocking and hurtful to many, especially to the innumerable gay priests who have served God’s people faithfully and well. We stand with them, and with the people who have benefited from their ministry. The truth is that the Church simply could not function without those countless gay priests, bishops and maybe even popes who currently serve and have served over the centuries.”