Not sure what to make of the Pope's remarks on same sex civil unions?

Unsettled that he seems to be undermining existing Church teaching? Frustrated that he isn't going far enough in supporting same-sex marriage?

Think it's a big deal? No big deal?

A practical guide:

What everyone, but especially non LGBTQ+ persons can do—listen.

Seek to listen directly to the firsthand experience of LGBTQ+ Catholics (or former Catholics). Listen for understanding, not to debate. Listen with compassion and a sincere desire to learn.
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Pope Francis has said, "We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur." [Evangelii Gaudium]
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Pope Francis: "the Church must look more closely and sympathetically at others," and in listening, we ought to, "remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other" [EG]

What would it look like to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of LGBTQ+ persons and listen?
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Too often, Catholics (and many others) enter into these spaces prepared to cite the Catechism or link someone to a Youtube video. This generally leads nowhere.

For LGBTQ+ persons, this isn't some abstract theological debate on social media. It's a lived reality of the Church.
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As with difficult conversations around racism, sexism, or other structural sin, we must go out of our way to try and cultivate a safe space for listening to LGBTQ+ persons in the Church. And recognize the limitations of our ability to do so.
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It's challenging to do this online in public forums like Twitter and Facebook. Most of this work must be done in private, one-on-one, ideally in person, but certainly with an appreciation that digital interactions introduce obstacles to an incarnate human encounter.
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For bishops/priests figuring out their homilies this Sunday, don't be afraid to preach on this. Parishioners most likely heard at least a whiff about it through news or social media.

This Sunday's Gospel? "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

What does that demand?
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In fact, all of this Sunday's readings insist that we look at how we live the law of love. The first lines people will hear are: Thus says the LORD—"You shall not molest or oppress an alien."

The Pope also talked about inhuman treatment of migrants/refugees this week.
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News stories chronicled the incommunicably devastating effects of U.S. policies separating migrant/refugee children from their parents.

What do the Scriptures have to say about that? It's right there in the 1st reading! The Pope weighed in! Don't be afraid to talk about this!
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We continue to read headlines about the killing of Black persons like George Floyd, leaving literal widows and orphans crying out to the Heavens.

The Scriptures could not possibly be more pertinent to our current moment in the United States. We must preach on it!
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If we cannot connect the treatment of LGBTQ+ and immigrant and Black/BIPOC persons with these Scriptures, then we have failed to preach the Gospel

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
This isn't feel-good fluff. It places real demands on us. As individuals, as Church.
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Pope Francis ceaselessly calls us to a form of listening that leads to radical individual action and societal transformation. In our treatment of LGBTQ+ persons, immigrants, victims of war and violence, all who are oppressed.

It's precisely what the Scriptures demand of us.
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In sum: everybody—remove your sandals and listen, with love, to understand

Clergy—link the Law of Love as articulated in the Scriptures with what is happening in our world and help remind all of us of our mission to love God with all our hearts and love neighbor as self

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