VOA慢速英语2014 Catholic Bishops Discuss Teachings on Gays, Divorce

 

AS IT IS 2014-10-15 Catholic Bishops¹ Discuss Teachings on Gays, Divorce

The Roman Catholic Church has long been critical of love relationships between two people of the same sex. The church has also sharply criticized sexual activity outside of marriage. And it rejects divorce. That is when one or both partners in a marriage choose to end it.

But some Catholic bishops are suggesting that the church might ease its attitude, or position, toward people who do not obey these teachings. The church officials have been attending a two-week synod, or meeting, at the Vatican in Rome. They offered their opinions this week in a preliminary report on family issues. A final report is expected on Saturday. The document will be studied and discussed worldwide over the next year.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church -- Pope Francis -- appointed the bishops who wrote the report. Recent comments by the Pope have shown that he would like the church to reach out to those it has traditionally rejected. 

The preliminary report says the church should recognize that there are “positive aspects” about marriages lacking the church’s approval. It also says there may be good things about two people living together without getting married. In the past, the religious group has said these activities were wrong, and those involved were living in sin.

One Vatican expert called the apparent change in attitude of some top Church officials “a pastoral earthquake.” Some observers believe the change will lead to a fierce argument between liberal and conservative Catholics, and others.

The final report from the synod would not mean a change in official Catholic policies. But it does show a very different attitude toward Catholics who do not follow Catholic teachings. They include unmarried men and women who live together, gay people, and couples who divorce and marry again.

Cardinal² Peter Erdo of Hungary is one of the bishops who wrote the report. He serves as general reporter of the meeting. He says the church needs to reach out to people who love others of the same sex. He said it should provide them with “a welcoming home.”  The report did not take a strong position on the issue of whether people who end their marriages can marry again. John Allen, Jr. is an expert on the Catholic Church. He has written many books on the church and its teachings. In the publication Crux³, Mr. Allen suggested that there is growing agreement that annulments need to be faster and simpler. An annulment⁴ declares that a union was never really a marriage. That holds true even if the wedding ceremony was performed in the Catholic Church. Should a Catholic gain annulment, he or she can marry again in the church.

The report did not take a strong position on the issue of whether people who end their marriages can marry again. John Allen, Jr. is an expert on the Catholic Church. He has written many books on the church and its teachings. In the publication Crux, Mr. Allen suggested that there is growing agreement that annulments need to be faster and simpler. An annulment declares that a union was never really a marriage. That holds true even if the wedding ceremony was performed in the Catholic Church. Should a Catholic gain annulment, he or she can marry again in the church.

Words in this Story

attitudes - n. ways you think or feel about something or someone; feelings or thoughts that affect a person’s behavior

opinions - n. beliefs, judgments⁵, ways of thinking about something; what someone thinks about particular things

views - n. opinions or ways of thinking about someone or something

sin - n. an offense⁶ against religious or moral law

synod - n. an assembly of the clergy⁷ and others;   sometimes the laity⁸ of a diocese or other division of a particular church

gay - adj. homosexual (person who cares for others of the same sex)

rite⁹ - n.  a religious or solemn ceremony or act

communion - n. a Christian custom at which bread and wine (or another drink) are shared   

1 bishops   

（基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象

参考例句：

• Each player has two bishops at the start of the game. 棋赛开始时，每名棋手有两只象。
• "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like. “他劫富济贫，抢的都是郡长、主教、国王之类的富人。

2 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

3 crux   

adj.十字形；难事，关键，最重要点

参考例句：

• The crux of the matter is how to comprehensively treat this trend.问题的关键是如何全面地看待这种趋势。
• The crux of the matter is that attitudes have changed.问题的要害是人们的态度转变了。

4 annulment   

n.废除，取消，（法院对婚姻等）判决无效

参考例句：

• The annulment caused a profound impression in Japan. 同盟的废止，在日本发生了强烈的反响。 来自辞典例句
• Law An annulment acquittal; dismissal, of a court order. 取消，宣告无罪；法院命令的撤销。 来自互联网

5 judgments   

判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判

参考例句：

• A peculiar austerity marked his judgments of modern life. 他对现代生活的批评带着一种特殊的苛刻。
• He is swift with his judgments. 他判断迅速。

6 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

7 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

8 laity   

n.俗人；门外汉

参考例句：

• The Church and the laity were increasingly active in charity work.教会与俗众越来越积极参与慈善工作。
• Clergy and laity alike are divided in their views.神职人员和信众同样都观点各异。

9 rite   

n.典礼，惯例，习俗

参考例句：

• This festival descends from a religious rite.这个节日起源于宗教仪式。
• Most traditional societies have transition rites at puberty.大多数传统社会都为青春期的孩子举行成人礼。