The hierarchs largely appointed by John Paul II and Benedict XVI have amended the English translation in ways that are unfaithful to the original Italian – and all as a way to tone down any outreach to gay people. So the section titled “Welcoming Homosexuals” has been changed to “Providing For Homosexuals.” So we are to infer that the Catholic bishops in America really don’t want to welcome gay people. It’s critical to note that “in nearly all cases, the first version followed the official Italian version in verbatim; the second provides a different tone altogether.” And so:
The first version asked if the church was capable of “welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities.” The new version asks if the church is “capable of providing for these people, guaranteeing … them … a place of fellowship in our communities.” The first version said homosexual unions can often constitute a “precious support in the life of the partners.” The new one says gay unions often constitute “valuable support in the life of these persons.”
All of which goes to show that the reactionaries are going to fight this papacy down to petty issues such as translations. This Synod is just the beginning of the struggle; and that struggle’s success will lie in the wiles and, above all, longevity of Francis.
The Dish 