Campus faculty and administrators celebrate Pope Francis’s support of decriminalizing homosexuality

Pope Francis’s recent statements regarding the decriminalization of homosexuality have led to thoughtful conversations on campus over the past week. In collaboration with faculty and campus leaders, President Sterritt wholeheartedly endorsed a community response to Pope Francis’s words.

As a liberal arts college with a Catholic heritage, Saint Michael’s College celebrates the recent statements by Pope Francis affirming that the Catholic Church should work vigorously against laws in more than 70 countries around the world that criminalize homosexuality. While Catholic teaching has long focused on the intrinsic dignity of each person, Pope Francis’s emphasis going forward offers hope as part of global efforts aimed at decriminalization, and it is a concrete expression of Catholic teaching that will help save and enhance lives in many places. On our campus, Saint Michael’s College prides itself on providing a welcoming home for all, and we celebrate all the LGBTQIA+ members of our community.

That statement was affirmed by Fr. David Cray, Superior General of the Society of Saint Edmund, who responded, “I commend your courage in publishing this statement.  As in all things, I support Pope Francis’ personalized and pastoral approach.”