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Hardline anti-gay U.S. cardinal loses another Vatican job
VATICAN CITY — American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a fervent opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage, was removed by Pope Francis from another top Vatican post on Saturday. The removal of Burke as head of the Holy See’s supreme court was widely expected in church circles.
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Elton John at AIDS event: Pope Francis is my hero
NEW YORK — Elton John called Pope Francis “my hero” for his compassion and push to accept gays in the Catholic church, at his annual AIDS benefit.
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Creighton University to offer same-sex benefits despite archbishop’s objection
OMAHA, Neb. — Creighton University will soon begin offering health benefits to legally married same-sex spouses of its employees despite the objections of the local Catholic archbishop. Creighton President Rev. Timothy Lannon announced the change Monday. He said 21 of the 28 Jesuit universities already offer similar benefits.
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Catholic bishops scrap welcome to gays in sign of church split
VATICAN CITY — Catholic bishops scrapped their landmark welcome to gays Saturday, showing deep divisions at the end of a two-week meeting sought by Pope Francis to chart a more merciful approach to ministering to Catholic families. The bishops failed to approve even a watered-down section on ministering to homosexuals that stripped away …
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Updated translation of Vatican report much colder, less welcoming to gays
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is watering down a ground-breaking overture to gays – but only if they speak English. After a draft report by bishops debating family issues came under criticism from conservative English-speaking bishops, the Vatican released a new translation on Thursday.
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Vatican mystery: Where did the ‘gays are welcome’ message originate?
VATICAN CITY — It’s one of the great mysteries of the meeting on family life taking place behind closed doors at the Vatican this week: Just where did the authors of a draft report come up with such ground-breaking language that gays had gifts to offer the church and that even homosexual partnerships had merit?
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Rollback: Conservative Catholic bishops distance themselves from gay overture
VATICAN CITY — Conservative Catholic bishops concerned about an unprecedented opening to gays and divorced people are seeking to make their voices heard at a Vatican meeting on family life, emphasizing the benefits of faithful Catholics, the fundamentals of church doctrine and the dangers of sin.
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Catholic Bishops say gays have ‘gifts and qualities’ to offer church
VATICAN CITY — Catholic bishops are showing unprecedented openness to accepting the real lives of many Catholics today, saying gays have gifts to offer the church and should be accepted and that there are “positive” aspects to a couple living together without being married. A two-week meeting of bishops on family issues arrived …
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LGBT groups cautiously cheer Catholic Church shift in tone toward gays
VATICAN CITY — LGBT rights advocates are cautiously cheering a shift in tone from the Catholic Church toward gays, encouraged that Pope Francis’ famous “Who am I to judge?” position has filtered down to bishops debating family issues at a Vatican meeting this week. There is no discussion that church doctrine on homosexuality will change …
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Mo. Catholic bishop speaks out against Springfield non-discrimination ordinance
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri bishop said forcing people of faith to recognize same-sex relationships is a form of discrimination and violates their religious freedoms. Bishop James Johnston of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese issued a letter opposing the proposed expansion of Springfield’s nondiscrimination ordinance…