GOLD COAST — Archbishop Blase Cupich said Friday he welcomed Pope Francis's calls to be more accepting and inviting of gays, divorcees and others back to the Roman Catholic Church.
Cupich said the less judgmental view on those considered to be living in sin actually brings the Church back to its compassionate roots.
"The gospel tells us not to judge, not to condemn... even if they are falling short of the ideal," Cupich told reporters at a press conference Friday.
Cupich was commenting on a decree announced by the Vatican Friday titled "On Love In The Family." The paper was written by Pope Francis, but Cupich said it was not finalized until two meetings of bishops was held.
In the paper, Francis calls on the church to be more accepting of gays and lesbians, divorced and remarried Catholics and others. The church has historically been opposed to gay marriage, and Roman Catholic practices forbid remarried Catholics from accepting Eucharist.
The church claims that the decree does not change Catholic doctrine, though Cupich said it will lead to a change in practices for many priests and parishes.
Cupich said the decree modernizes the church's thinking on these societal issues, many of which have been settled and widely accepted by society and Catholic families.
To continue to ostracize these potential parishioners is a disservice to the Church, Cupich said.
"Catholics across the spectrum ... live day to day with family members who fall short of the ideal," he said. "This is a family issue with the church as well."
Cupich said he doesn't think pastors and parishes in Chicago will have an issue with the new policy. He said, if anything, it might make the Church a more inviting and welcoming place, although driving up church membership is not the goal.
"The doctrine of the Church has always been one of mercy and compassion," he said. "He [Pope Francis] is recovering something that maybe we lost sight of."
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