Oct 25, 2014 2 min read

Thank you for the fantastic Oct. 16 editorial about the Catholic Church’s stance regarding homosexuals. I was raised in a Catholic home and went to a Catholic church well into my twenties, when I stopped going. I stayed away throughout my marriage and subsequent divorce. After my divorce, I wanted my two children to have some religious foundation, so I began taking them to a Catholic church.

I knew the church was against divorce and this troubled me. I was a single father trying to teach my children about God and love, yet the very place I was trying to do so didn’t welcome us because I was divorced. I also wondered what gay people thought. I think it’s much more important to attend church than to stay away because of antiquated and hateful doctrine. Eventually I stopped going and haven’t been back.

No wonder the Catholic Church is losing members. I’ve often said that the Catholic Church needs to become more accepting of divorced people and homosexuals. Now, it seems, the pope has finally realized that gay people actually can have religious beliefs and strong faith. And yes, they can become a viable, vital part of the church. The God I know is a loving, forgiving and accepting God. Divorce and sexual orientation don’t matter to Him. It’s about love. This is a small step, but definitely a positive one.

Raymond W. Schmitt, Sr.

Richmond, Va.