Pope Francis tells parents of kids who identify as LGBT not to ‘hide in an attitude of condemnation’

Jan 29, 2022 by Jill

by Ryan Foley, Christian Post:

Pope Francis has called on parents of children who identify as LGBT to “accompany” them and “not hide in an attitude of condemnation.”

Speaking before a general audience Wednesday, the pontiff discussed the four dreams of St. Joseph. He remarked that “God does not promise us that we will never have fear, but that, with His help, it will not be the criterion for our decisions.” Francis emphasized that “Joseph experiences fear, but God guides him through it,” adding: “The power of prayer brings light to dark situations.”

“At this moment, I am thinking of so many people who are crushed by the weight of life and can no longer hope and pray,” he said. “I am thinking, too, of parents who are facing their children’s problems: children with many illnesses, children who are sick, even with permanent illnesses — how much pain is there — parents who see different sexual orientations in their children; how to deal with this and accompany their children and not hide in an attitude of condemnation.”

While the pope touched upon “so many parental problems” in his remarks, his comments advising parents to “accompany” their children who identify as LGBT received particular attention. Critics saw the comments as the latest example of mixed messaging coming from the Vatican regarding the contentious topic of human sexuality.

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