Vatican's Report on Homosexuality Changes Tone In English Translation
The recently-released, highly controversial report on the Catholic Church's relationship with homosexuality has changed in tone after it was translated from its original Italian to English.
The document was released last week as a product of the two-week bishops' synod at the Vatican regarding sexuality, family, divorce, and contraception issues. It drew a substantial amount of controversy from U.S. bishops and churches for its changed tone regarding homosexuality.
The original document, written in Italian, said that the gay community "[has] gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community," adding "Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?"
"Often they wish to encounter a church that offers them a welcoming home," the letter continued. "Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?"
After receiving criticism from U.S. Catholic leaders, the Vatican released a new version of the document on Thursday that offers a different tone after being translated to English. According to the Associated Press, the new English seeking version uses different language. While the Italian version discussed "welcoming homosexuals" and providing a "fraternal space" for the "precious support" of same-sex couples, the English version discusses "providing for homosexual persons," and refers to the "fellowship" and "valuable support" of the gay community.
One of the outspoken critics of the Italian document was Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who said in a recent interview that that document needs "major reworking."
