British musician Sir Elton John says Pope Francis is wonderful and that Jesus would support gay marriage.
One of the world’s most prominent gay celebrities, Sir Elton said in an interview that the leader of the Catholic Church is a sign of hope.
“He’s excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith . . . it’s all basically about love and taking everybody in inclusiveness,” Sir Elton told Sky News.
Media have interpreted Pope Francis as striking a more conciliatory tone towards homosexuals than his predecessors.
Sir Elton said gay members of the clergy should be able to marry and that he believes Jesus Christ would be in favour of gay marriage, which became legal in Britain in March.
“If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him . . .saying this could not happen,” the pop star said.
“He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that is what the Church should be about.”
The recently released Instrumentum Laborisworking document ahead of October’s synod on the family stated that that the Catholic Church finds same-sex marriages to be incompatible with the faith.
Bishops considered there are no grounds for considering same-sex unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.
But the Church teaches that those with homosexual tendencies “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided”.
Sir Elton described the Church’s view of same-sex marriage as old and stupid.
Sir Elton plans to marry his partner David Furnish next year in a “quiet” ceremony.
The pair have two children together, with the co-operation of a surrogate mother.
Sir Elton said he hoped to meet with President Vladimir Putin later this year to discuss homosexual rights.
Putin earlier this year said that millions of Russians loved Sir Elton “despite his orientation”, in an attempt to defuse criticism over a law banning the dissemination of so-called “gay propaganda” to minors.
“I may not achieve anything but I have to try. There are so many people out there living a life of hell,” Sir Elton said.
Sources