Cardinal Dolan Says Pope Francis 'Reminds Me of Jesus' in Synod Speech on Homosexuality
Cardinal Timothy Dolan recently addressed the new document approved by the Vatican regarding the church's relation to Catholic divorcees, gays and married gays, and expressed his admiration for Pope Francis during the segment.
In an interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos Dolan concurred that the Pope's recent statements on homosexuality at this month's Synod represent an 'evolution,' not a 'revolution' within the Catholic Church.
"Pope Francis never ceases to surprise us," said Dolan to ABC News. "Just when you think you might have him figured out, he offers another fresh innovative way of looking, that talk to which you just referred at the close of the synod was nothing less than inspirational. He spoke from the heart. He spoke about himself as the Pope and the church and he challenged all of us. And it reminds me of Jesus. Always walking down the road, and never forgetting the people on either side."
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Stephanopoulos also commended the Pope's closing comments during the Synod.
"David Wright just mentioned this extraordinary, this standing ovation that the Pope got at the closing of his speech where he took on both the traditionalists, the hostile inflexibility of the traditionalists and the false mercy of the liberal do-gooders," said Stephanopoulos.
The speech took place at a two week summit of Catholic bishops that concluded on Saturday which was aimed at tackling a number of controversial issues facing the Catholic Church, including how to respond to changing families and how to better communicate Catholic doctrine.
And interim report issued by the Vatican last Monday had praised the "gifts" homosexuals can bring to the church and also noted the "precious support" same-sex partners mutually provide. However, this section was revised and focuses on homosexuality as one of the problems Catholic families have to confront. "People with homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and delicacy." The church also reaffirmed its view of marriage as between on man and one woman.
The church also did not come to a conclusion on whether or not divorced Catholics should be able to receive Holy Communion.
The Synod will reconvene in a year's time to reconsider the issues discussed at this year's summit. Dolan said this synod was basically held "set the table" for an even larger one that will take place next year,
"We just wanted to set the tone and agenda [this year] and I think that was done very well under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and Pope Francis," he said.
He also explained that the doctrine of the church will not change at a synod.
"Synods don't change doctrine. Nobody changes doctrine. We believe that we're given doctrine by God and our job is to faithfully and effectively pass it on," he continued. Synods are more of a pastoral conversation of a family coming together to kind of give ourselves a report card on how we're doing that and if we can do it better."
