LGBT group asks, "how would you rate Pope Francis?"

New Ways Ministry, our partner in the Equally Blessed Coalition, publishes a popular blog chronicling news of LGBTQ Catholic issues (if you don't already read it regularly, add it to your bookmarks!).

This month they are asking their readers "What grade would you give Pope Francis on LGBT issues?" You have a few more days to add your vote and comments before the poll closes; we're looking forward to seeing their analysis of the results!

This week, as the Pope celebrates his 2nd anniversary leading the Church, they wrote:

"The heady days of that first year of his papacy seem to be fading, as Pope Francis has let some of the old harsh rhetoric on LGBT issues creep into his public remarks. We saw this with his remark about “ideological colonization” of marriage, and more recently by comparing gender theory to nuclear arms.The advance of this kind of rhetoric makes one wonder: Is Pope Francis really as LGBT-positive as people originally thought?

The simple answer to that is “no.” Part of the reason for the negative assessment, though, is not due to Pope Francis, but to the overly positive hopes and expectations people had for him because of his initial statements and gestures.

The real answer, though, is a bit more complicated. I think we need to pull back a little and see Pope Francis’ program through a wider lens."

Take a look at their analysis, and add your voice!