48 Comments
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Michael's avatar

I live in PDX and applaud this appointment. Fr. Hennen will be most welcomed here as we are a bastion of LGBTQ+ support here on the Left Coast. I look forward to his ministry.

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Jul 10
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Michael's avatar

But you can bring Christ's word to that community. Ministry is not endorsement. If it were that, than Christ's ministry was a sham

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Jul 10
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Michael's avatar

Christ teaches "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God," (Mark 10:14, Matthew 19:14 and Luke 18:16). I can say no more than that.

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Jul 10
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Tim Perry's avatar

Those who treat a Bible verse as an edict are not engaged in the Gospel’s message. Christ lived a life of example and His teachings should be taken as a whole.

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Annette's avatar

What fantastic news! Thank you to both of these men for seeing our LBGT brothers and sisters as full members of our church and worthy of our support and respect.

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Jay's avatar

I am a progressive Catholic and I am just really impressed with the message that Leo is subtly sending with his appointments. He is putting the church on the correct path and making it welcoming and open for everyone. The church will continue progressing and becoming more inclusive for everyone.

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Jul 10
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E2's avatar

The Church has formally and explicitly revised its teachings several times.

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Jul 10
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E2's avatar

"Matters of discipline have changed, dogmas have been clarified and added upon"

In other words, teachings have been revised.

As for explicit reversals - where is the Index Librorum Prohibitorum today? Where is the denunciation of the heliocentric heresy?

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8d
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Tim Perry's avatar

What is the “doctrinal change”, as opposed to revision, that you claim?

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Tim Perry's avatar

@Cid So “conservative” bishops and cardinals should be followed when they contradict the Pope? Are they not subject to a vow of obedience? Denial of his authority verges on heresy. If you want to play that game.

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Kimberlyanne's avatar

I'm loving Pope Leo! He sees people for who they are & loves them as Jesus did, TRUE Bible teachings. What the US is experiencing is tragic! It's difficult living here! Now more than ever, we need true faith leaders! Not dishonest cult like faith leaders that teach hate, lies & fear! We need to love & accept our neighbors. Hold onto each other. Take care of & look out for one another! No one is free until we all are free!

Thank you Pope Leo! ❤️ 🙏

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Nick D's avatar

If we truly love our neighbor, we will tell him the truth. The truth is that sodomy is a grave mortal sin that will lead you to the lower regions of hell.

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Mary Cross's avatar

We are all born equal. God is loving and taught us to serve one another so that EVERYONE'S needs get met. Also, there is the "Golden Rule."

God does NOT exclude or judge human-beings. Period. Hate & exclusion are not words in His vocabulary. ♥️🌈🌻😊

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Bill Dorgan's avatar

Looks like Cid is going to have a hard time living in Leo’s vision of the church.

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Jul 10
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Mary Cross's avatar

We will have to agree to disagree. I was raised in the Catholic church. I have seen a lot of "evangelical" churches spew a lot of hate in the name of God.

They have no credibility.

They play to MAGA and bring religion to politics.

Separation of church and state. They don't get to change the wording in the Constitution. Bottom line.

I will continue to view God as loving. I believe He brought Pope Leo XIV to the world and America to counter the hateful administration we are faced with in these times.

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Catherine Richards's avatar

What she said! 😊🫶🪷

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Betsy Braverman's avatar

Glad to see Pope Leo continue Pope Francis' efforts to be more inclusive towards LGBT Catholics

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Annette Magyar's avatar

Pope Leo is restoring my faith in the Catholic Church. Thank you, Pope Leo.

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Catherine Richards's avatar

I can relate to your statement. He's so calm, exudes such peace. I quit going to church decades ago. Leo has me thinking about that.

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Mike Stein-Prairie Fire Found.'s avatar

One can hope. The love and inclusion message is the right one. One priest or diocese saying it isn’t enough. But it’s a start. I’m hopeful that Pope Leo is the right person to lead the church forward. So far, it seems that way.

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Debbie Eley's avatar

I am so happy to see my Church becoming more open and accepting. Pope Leo is a blessing from God. Congratulations to Fr. Hennen on his appointment as the Bishop of Baker, OR.

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Jul 11
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Debbie Eley's avatar

Hi Cid. Hopefully you are having a beautiful evening. I am enjoying a quiet evening with my husband. I pray you are as happy with your life as I am with mine. My God will help you be more accepting of humans of all walks of life if you just let Him. I wish you the best.

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Debbie Eley's avatar

It’s okay Cid. My God is from the Bible and resides in heaven. It is God’s job to judge us, not mine and not yours! God told us to love others as we love Him. That is the commandment that is the most important. I follow that commandment first. I help those who need food, shelter, clothing, and comfort. I pray for those who need it, whether for sickness, sadness, anger, or a loss so great it is causing complete despair. I believe in love, kindness, forgiveness, and peace. I am so fortunate that my husband and our child believe the same way. We attend Mass to celebrate our joy in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We leave being refreshed in God’s grace and love to live another week. I will keep you in my prayers. This will be my last response to you.

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8d
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Debbie Eley's avatar

Sorry about the typo. You are correct it is as He loves us.

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Martha Olivares's avatar

Thank you, Pope Leo, for continuing to show- not only the churched- but the world how to lead with and through love. Viva, Papa!!

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Marilyn's avatar

Pope Leo knows the business of being a priest.

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Joni Bernstein's avatar

I love him so much already

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DFA's avatar

Congratulations Father Hennen! May you bring peace and happiness to your diocese.

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Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

A priest who ministers with presence instead of policy? Be still my scandalized heart.

While others are out here weaponizing doctrine like it’s a Nerf war for control of souls, Fr. Hennen’s just out there doing the radical thing—being human. Loving the people who’ve been told they don’t belong, not with pity, but with dignity. That’s not progressive. That’s ancient. That’s gospel.

Pope Leo isn’t building a new Church. He’s reminding it how to be Church. Less wall-building, more table-setting.

And if that makes some bishops nervous? Good.

The Spirit’s supposed to blow the paperwork off your desk.

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Evangeline's avatar

I can't see why anyone's sexuality should require support beyond what any Catholic would receive. It has no bearing on their worship of God or their walk with Christ. None. If I were to experience that, i would say why are you treating me differently from anyone else.

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E2's avatar

That's what this is about: extending Catholic support to people previously shunned.

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HarrisWalz FTW 2024's avatar

I'm glad to see this, not only for the obvious reasons, but because I had read that this was one area in which Pope Leo was much more conservative than Pope Francis.

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Suzanne Yeakey's avatar

As a member of the Baker Diocese in Central Oregon, I applaud Pope Leo and praise God that we are embracing the command of Jesus to love one another more than ourselves, and serve humbly the weak and outcast. Only then can we be a truly CHRIST-like people.🙏🙏🙏

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Jul 10
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Suzanne Yeakey's avatar

Jesus ‘commanded’ the new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.

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