Pope Francis, the only man who can pull off a white dress after Labor Day, is pulling an Eddie Murphy and is coming to America later this year. His Holiness will grace a Catholic family congress in Philadelphia at the end of his visit, and while gays can attend, they're barred from criticizing the Church's teachings.
Gay Catholics had requested a presence at the congress to contend that homosexuals should be fully welcomed in the Church.
"We don't want to provide a platform at the meeting for people to lobby for positions contrary to the life of our Church," Philadelphia's Archbishop Charles Chaput said at a news conference. "We are not providing that kind of lobbying opportunity."
According to Reuters, about 15,000 people from around the world are expected to attend the family congress, where they'll hear lectures and take part in workshops on family issues. Y'now, FUN stuff. The Pope will then arrive to close the congress.
There will be one event that will address gay issues, run by Ron Belgau, a celibate gay Catholic and founder of Spiritual Friendship. Belgau spreads the good word on how Catholic gays can live by the Church's teaching -- so-called Christ-based friendships.
So if I'm understanding this message coming from Philadelphia's Catholic community correctly, gays can be seen, not heard -- and not be gay. Something tells me this trip is not going to be half as fun as Coming to America.
