Just after joining Catholic Church, Tony Blair questions teaching on homosexuality

London, England, Apr 8, 2009 / 18:42 pm

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking in an interview with a homosexual magazine, has advocated that Pope Benedict XVI “rethink” the Catholic position on homosexual acts.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered" but does not comment on homosexuality's origins. The Church also calls on Christians to treat homosexuals with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity," the Catechism of the Catholic Church says.

Blair, who converted to Catholicism in 2007, told the gay-oriented magazine Attitude there was a “generation difference” on the issue.

“Actually, we need an attitude of mind where rethinking and the concept of evolving attitudes becomes part of the discipline with which you approach your religious faith,” he said. He argued that there is “fear” among religious leaders that “if you concede ground on an issue like this, because attitudes and thinking evolve over time, where does that end?”

"You'd start having to rethink many, many things. Now, my view is that rethinking is good, so let's carry on rethinking," he said.

"Look, there are many good and great things the Catholic Church does, and there are many fantastic things this pope stands for," Blair said.

"But I think what is interesting is that if you went into any Catholic church, particularly a well-attended one, on any Sunday here and did a poll of the congregation, you'd be surprised at how liberal-minded people were."

In 2008 the former prime minister launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. According to the mission statement posted on its website, the foundation aims to “promote respect and understanding about the world's major religions and show how faith is a powerful force for good in the modern world.”