What the Pope can and cannot do.

     Not too long ago, Pope Francis seemed to have come out in favour of same sex civil unions.  Whilst we're not sure (Vatican spokesmen don't always speak clearly), but one thing that will never change is Church TEACHING on on homosexuality.

    First, let's start with the Old Testament, "If a man lies with a male, as with a woman; both of them committed an abomination: They shall be put to death, their blood is upon them". (Leviticus 20:13, RSVCE, 2nd Edition).

    Now, I'm not sure we need capital punishment for homosexual acts, but the Old Testament does point to one very important truth: Men and women are made for each other.  Take for instance, this verse:

"And the Lord God said: It is is not good for man to be alone: Let us make a help like unto himself". (Genesis 2:18 Douay Rheims)

    Now, there are some people that say they support Civil Unions for Same Sex couples, but not same sex marriage.  I understand the logic, but, in legal terms, it would still be analogous to marriage.  If you get the same benefits and legal protection as marriage, that's the way the law looks at it.  

    Now, there are some people that make the mistake of saying that Jesus never said marriage was between one man and one woman.  There are two problems with that.

1) He did, and

2) An argument from silence doesn't disprove or prove anything.  By that logic, your neighbour is a serial killer because he never said otherwise.

    So, where did Jesus mention marriage being between one man and one woman?  When the Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce, and that the commandment about divorce was written for the "hardness of heart".(Mark 10:2-12, and condemns divorce in Lk 16:18, amongst others, not to mention, the Old Testament flat out says God hates divorce, Malachi 2:16)

    Now, I know the classic proof text in defense of the Pope's authority (See Matthew 16:14-19), but I want to focus on this verse: "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren.  (Lk 22:31-32 Douay Rheims).

    Now, here's the thing, the office is protected, not the Pope's personal opinions.  A Pope can be heretical, a Pope can even make heretical statements, but a Pope can never teach, as dogma, heresy.

    Here's some more information:Papal Infallibility

     PART ONE THE PROFESSION OF FAITH SECTION TWO THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH CHAPTER THREE I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT ARTICLE 9 "I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH"