Dear Pope; or Why You Gotta Be Such a Hater?

by Mindy Townsend · 2010-10-20 14:27:00 UTC
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Dear Pope,

I usually don’t write open letters. In fact, this is my first one. I think it takes a certain amount of hubris to expect that something I write on one website of an infinite number of websites will somehow reach your eyes, but regardless, here I am.

We need to talk.

You have to cut out your anti-gay shenanigans. I mean, really, it had some shock value at first, but now it’s just sad. As the Church spirals ever more into irrelevancy, I implore you to reconsider your position.

I should say that I take no delight in writing this. As a recovering Catholic, I hate to see the Church desperately grasping onto the most divisive social issues. I think you’re better than this. And I know how hard this must be for you. You’re infallible, for Christ’s sake! However, it’s becoming as apparent that being gay is just a normal sexual variation as it is apparent that the Earth revolves around the sun. It’s only a matter of time until you have to admit to it.

The flow of history is for more liberty, more acceptance. It’s clear that you’re a conservative guy. I’m not here to judge. But commandeering social conservatives from other religions will not keep the tide from receding. Sooner or later there has to be a change.

I guess it would be one thing if you were quietly anti-gay. But you have to go and condemn anti-discrimination laws and make a fool of yourself by saying that condoms don’t slow the spread of HIV/AIDS. And now one of your appointees has just said that HIV is just a gay person’s comeuppance? Why must you shove your lifestyle in my face?

See? It’s not so nice, is it?

I should just give up on you. I should just turn around and let the Church self-destruct. But you have the capacity for so much good. You have a massive network of decent people who want to help the world. But when Catholic Charities stops giving spousal benefits and end social programs, just to stick it to the gays, I wonder what side you’re on.

So this is my final plea. Maybe it’s too much to ask that you do a 180 on the issue, but please, stop letting it affect everything you do. You are hurting people. You are taking affirmative steps to outrun the flow of history. And you are wrong.

Cheers,

Mindy

Photo credit: UN Photo/Jenny Rockett

Mindy Townsend is a recent law graduate.
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