“In
comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written
a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio
Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed
their consciences”.
“Responding
to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a
Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians
forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by
saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if
you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not
believe in God is to obey their conscience”.
“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when
people disobey their conscience.”
“Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the
Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence
of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by
his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a
conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to
have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”
“In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari
said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to
overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.
In July, Francis signalled a more progressive
attitude on se*uality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord,
who am I to judge him?
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