Vatican Backtracks: Oops, Our Bad, Gay People Are Still Just Totally Horrible

Dry your tears, Maggie. Via CNN:

Under furious assault from conservative Catholics, the Vatican backtracked Tuesday on its surprisingly positive assessment of gays and same-sex relationships. In a report Monday, the Vatican had said that gays and lesbians have “gifts to offer” the Christian community and acknowledged that same-sex couples can give “precious support” to one other. The statement, an interim report from a closely watched meeting of Catholic clergy here, was widely praised by liberals. It is believed to be the first time the Vatican has said anything positive about gay relationships.

“The message has gone out that this is what the synod is saying, this is what the Catholic Church is saying,” said Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, referring to the special meeting of Catholic clergy gathered here through Saturday. “It’s not what we’re saying at all.” In response to such reactions, the Vatican backtracked a bit Tuesday. In a statement, it said the report on gays and lesbians was a “working document,” not the final word from Rome. The Vatican also said that it wanted to welcome gays and lesbians in the church, but not create “the impression of a positive evaluation” of same-sex relationships, or, for that matter, of unmarried couples who live together.

Leading the campaign against the pro-gay statement was Cardinal Raymond Burke, who last week declared that it is “evil” to expose children to their gay relatives.