Quote for Day: If Pope to Be Believed, He Must Not Only Talk, but Change Systems of Belief That Victimize Those He Serves

Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson shares his hopes for Pope Francis and his agenda of reform: 

If Pope Francis is to be believed in all the kindly pronouncements of his first year (and I do), his good tone should be followed by the tough work of changing the systems of belief, doctrine and religious practice which perpetuate the victimization of those he seeks to serve. It is a small step forward to say of homosexuals, "Who am I to judge?" Yet the official teaching of the Catholic Church is that homosexuals are "intrinsically disordered."  Not a lot of wriggle room in that, is there?  That judgment and teaching about LGBT people is the basis for discrimination, rejection and violence the world over. It is fine to verbally decry the ecclesial "circle the wagons" approach to the child sexual abuse exposed in the last two decades, but real commitment to the safety of vulnerable children will require the Church to take steps to value and protect those children over the careers and reputations of its abusing priests.  Positive comments about the contributions of women in and to the Church sound fine, but what is needed is a long, hard look at its entire approach to human sexuality and gender which still treats its female adherents as "less than."